A collage of yoghurt and Postinor images. Photo Source: Cornvale Fine foods and Precious pharmacy.
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Claim: A Facebook user claimed that consuming Postinor (an emergency contraceptive) alongside yoghurt, milk, parfait, or coconut water can reduce its effectiveness and lead to unintended pregnancy
Verdict: Misleading. Though some antibiotics, antifungal treatments, and HIV therapies can reduce Postinor’s efficacy, there is no scientific evidence that consuming yoghurt, milk, parfait, or coconut water can interfere with the drug’s effectiveness.
Full Text
Among birth-control methods available in Nigeria, Postinor, also called the “morning-after pill”, has become a popular and trusted contraceptive pill for many because of its ability to prevent pregnancy when taken shortly after unprotected sex.
Data from the Family Protection Association of Sri Lanka revealed that Postinor-2, which contains levonorgestrel, boast 98% efficacy in pregnancy prevention when effectively used.
However, its popularity has brought about a series of advice and warnings from the internet.
Doctorofthefuture, a Facebook blogger, has warned that taking Postinor around the same time as consuming yoghurt, milk, parfait, or coconut water could reduce the pill’s effectiveness.
According to the blogger, such combinations could lead to pregnancy, implying that these foods interfere with the medication.
As of Apr. 8, 2025, it had gained 2,200 likes, 414 comments, and 35 shares since it was posted on March 25, 2025,
Believing the information put out, Greatbobby commented, “This is why my neighbor’s wife keeps giving birth anyhow, she’s on 9th now, no wonder wey postinor nor dey work. I will tell him to stop buying yoghurt for his wife always.”
Sunday Emmanuel also commented, “Thank you very much, sir. You don’t know how this post is about to save so many souls.”
Given the popularity of Postinor among women seeking emergency contraception and the virality of the post, DUBAWA decided to fact-check this claim.
Verification
Levonorgestrel in Postinor is a synthetic hormone that prevents pregnancy primarily by inhibiting ovulation.
A 2015 study by the Mayo Clinic revealed that its effectiveness is time-dependent, with higher efficacy when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. It does not list any food interactions that would reduce its effectiveness.
A product obtained by DUBAWA revealed that the effectiveness of Postinor is mainly dependent on how soon it is taken after unprotected intercourse. Postinor-2 is estimated to prevent approximately 85% of expected pregnancies.
If taken within the first 24 hours, its effectiveness increases to about 95%, but this rate drops to around 58% when taken between 48 and 72 hours.
The guidelines do mention certain medications that can reduce Postinor’s effectiveness, such as those used to treat epilepsy, including barbiturates, primidone, phenytoin, and carbamazepine.
Tuberculosis treatments like rifampicin or rifabutin, HIV therapies such as ritonavir, and antifungal medications like griseofulvin were other medications with inhibiting prospects. However, there is no mention of milk, yoghurt, parfait, or coconut water as substances that interfere with or reduce the effectiveness of Postinor.
Similarly, the University Health Service at the University of Michigan advises that eating a snack or drinking a glass of milk can help reduce nausea when taking emergency contraception, indicating no adverse interaction between dairy products and the medication.
While certain substances, such as grapefruit juice, tobacco and caffeine, have been noted to interact with various medications, increasing the blood levels of certain drugs, there is no evidence to suggest that dairy products like parfaits or coconut water have such effects on levonorgestrel.
Medical professionals confirm that dairy products do not affect the performance of contraceptives. A medical doctor, Jeffrey Juchau, responding to a question about the impact of yoghurt or milk on Postinor, stated: “No: dairy products have no effect on contraceptives of any kind”.
Experts’ Opinion
DUBAWA spoke to Qudus Lawal, a consultant gynaecologist at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, who clarified that the claim has no scientific basis. He explained that while certain medications can interfere with the drug’s efficacy, everyday foods and beverages are not known to have this effect.
“I am not aware of any food substances that reduce the effectiveness of Postinor,” Mr Lawal said. “However, there are specific medications, such as some antifungal drugs, antiepileptic drugs, and treatments for tuberculosis and HIV, that can interfere with its action.”
Qudus further pointed out that while foods are generally not a concern, alcohol could potentially affect the drug’s metabolism.
“It is possible that alcohol, which contains enzymes that speed up metabolism in the liver, could reduce the concentration of the drug in the body before it takes full effect,” he said.
However, he emphasised that this risk is more significant with chronic heavy drinking rather than casual or occasional alcohol intake.
He concluded by advising that Postinor should be taken strictly according to the manufacturer’s instructions, ideally as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, to maximise its effectiveness.
Christiana Okafor, a retired gynaecologist, also dismissed the claim with humour, describing it as a social media fabrication. “Honestly, any learned person knows this is just a concocted story from social media. If you’re really in doubt, maybe you should ask Aproko Doctor,” she said jokingly.
She clarified that everyday foods and drinks like yoghurt, milk, parfait, or coconut water do not affect Postinor’s effectiveness. According to Christiana, the only concern would be the use of antacids, which, if taken within one hour of the emergency contraceptive, could potentially reduce its absorption and efficacy.
“The only thing I would mention is antacids. If taken too close to Postinor, say, within an hour, they might reduce its effect. But foods like yoghurt or milk? Not at all,” she explained.
Conclusion
While some medications can interact with food or drinks, there is no scientific basis for the claim that yoghurt, milk, parfait, or coconut water reduces the effectiveness of Postinor. Experts recommend focusing on correct usage timing rather than dietary restrictions when taking emergency contraceptive pills.
