Uti / when can you take a pregnancy test

[bigbywolf]

Hi all!

I'm experiencing super bad lower back pain that's disrupting sleep and it hurts at the end of peeing. Im pretty sure it's a UTI.

But just to rule out other options, I wanted to ask if the combined birth control pill interferes with pregnancy test readings? I feel like I would "feel" pregnant if it were the case, but I know thats not a sound assumption.

[Sam W]

Hi Bigbywolf,

Ouch, that sounds really uncomfortable. Have you had a chance to schedule a check-up with a healthcare provider to see what's up (and hopefully get something to treat the discomfort)?

And nope, the pill should not interfere with a pregnancy test reading.

[Redskies]

Just to amplify what Sam said, if you're having very bad lower back pain and it may be a UTI (which it may be), you really don't want to delay seeing a healthcare provider. UTIs by themself are just a pest, but they do need treating if they either don't go away quickly or they cause you pain like that: untreated, they can become a more serious health issue, and obviously you don't want that! I'd really suggest seeing a healthcare provider in the next day, as a priority.

[bigbywolf]

Hey all!

Being of the stubborn 'if you ignore it it will go away' mentality, I left the pain for a couple days. Guess who has a kidney infection now

Let me be a lesson!! If your pee and back hurt, get that doctors appointment.

[Karyn]

Kidney infections are a bummer, indeed! But it's good you've got a diagnosis and it's being treated. Fingers crossed for a quick recovery.

[bigbywolf]

I have another question!

Do antibiotics interfere with the pills effectiveness? My sister (studying pharmacology) says that it's been disproved, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

[Redskies]

Your sister's up to date. The most recent research indicates that almost all antibiotics (apart from those used to treat TB) have no impact on the pill's effectiveness. However, it's extremely difficult to disprove with absolute certainty: it's very hard to show, scientifically, that there can be no possible cirumstance ever where something will happen. So there's still a small space for a possible question mark (Something You Can Worry About Less: Interference and Hormonal Birth Control).

Ultimately, it's up to you, and what amount of security you feel best about. Because we want to support people in not becoming pregnant when they don't want to, if it's really important to you not to become pregnant, we'd still suggest backing up with another method while you're taking antibiotics, and for 7 days afterwards (or more specifically, until you've taken 7 active pills in a row afterwards), just to be extra-sure.

I'm really glad you've got diagnosed and treated, and I hope you're beginning to feel a bit better!