Would a gall bladder removal affect the absorption of birth control pills, rendering them less effective?
Having a gallbladder removed will not affect the function of birth control pills. After the gallbladder is removed, some people experience loose stools, gas and bloating for a while. In the years that follow, absorption of medicine is no different with or without a gallbladder. On the other hand, if you get treated with antibiotics around the time that your gallbladder is removed, it is possible that the effectiveness of your birth control pill might be affected for a short time. Certain antibiotics can affect the amount of estrogen in your bloodstream. The effect on estrogen happens because normal bacteria in your intestine can be killed by antibiotics. Enzymes from your bacteria help to keep estrogen in your gut in its most active form. Some of the antibiotics that have been linked with a lessening of birth control pill effectiveness are ampicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, metronidazole (Flagyl), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra), and a variety of medicines in the cep
