Watch out, a chemist has warned the heat could be seriously messing with your contraception

With temperatures still high across a lot of the UK, most people aren’t aware that the heat could be stopping their contraception from working properly. 

The combined pill, mini pill, the patch, and vaginal ring all contain hormones that can be broken down when exposed to high temperatures, reducing their effectiveness. 

“Most are designed to be stored below 25°C, and prolonged exposure above 30°C can start to break down the hormones and reduce how well they work,” Jason Murphy, the head of pharmacy at online pharmacy Chemist4U, told Metro. 

“So, a pill packet that’s spent a few days in a hot car, a handbag or beach bag, a steamy bathroom cabinet, or a windowsill isn’t necessarily going to protect you the way you’d expect – there’s a very real risk of unintended pregnancy as a result.”

He continued: “While it’s important that you don’t stop taking any prescription medications due to the heat, make sure you’re aware of how they might react to the weather. If something doesn’t feel right, make sure you speak to your pharmacist or GP.”

Credit: Canva

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Even if the temperatures are in the low 20s outside, it can be much higher in cars or rooms with direct sunlight where you haven’t had any windows open, potentially compromising your contraception. 

Murphy said you should check if any pills look discoloured, feel sticky, or are softer than usual. Also, look out for a strange smell or difference in texture. If anything looks unusual, it’s best to throw them away and get a new packet. It’s not just contraception either. All medications can be compromised in the heat. 

“Most medicines need to be stored at temperatures below 25°C. But cars, trains and buses can heat up quickly during the summer, and rooms with direct sunlight can get much hotter than you’d think. Even bags and pockets can get warm enough to cause problems, especially if you’re out all day or at a festival, sports event, or the beach,” Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the MHRA, said. 

“Heat can break down the active ingredients in medicines, meaning they might not work when you need them. That includes tablets, inhalers, hormone patches, insulin, and EpiPens. Some packaging will give clear storage instructions, but not all medicines come with a visible warning.”

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Featured image credit: Canva