The Met Office is predicting another round of hot weather to bake the UK this weekend. Figures are expected to hit the 30s in some parts of England – with areas in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland not far behind. Ahead of the hot conditions, millions of people who take a common medication are being urged to make one change ‘before it’s too late’, if necessary.
Markus Lindblad, from Haypp, has said that extreme temperatures could make certain medicines and contraceptives less effective if they’re left out in the heat. To avoid any health risks, anyone who usually keeps their medication in the car is urged to take it out and keep it in the house instead.
He said: “Leaving birth control, including contraceptive pills and condoms, in a hot car can make them less effective. Condoms are more likely to break, and the active ingredients in birth control pills can be degraded. Be extra cautious if you have left these items in your car, as you might not be completely protected.”
Contraception, which can help prevent pregnancy and regulate the period cycle, could fail if it has been exposed to extreme temperature changes – heat or cold. Medical News Today adds: “There is little scientific information on how long birth control can stay in the heat. Brief exposure may not affect birth control, but prolonged heat exposure will cause it to break down.”
According to Durex, one of the leading manufacturers of condoms, condoms should be “stored in a cold and dry place away from direct sunlight.” The brand also warns that men should keep their contraception “away from unwanted elements such as moisture and heat.” The brand goes on to clarify that condoms are best kept in an area with a temperature of less than 40C.
Whilst the predictions aren’t that high from the Met Office, that only applies to the outdoor temperature. Omni Calculator claims that a car’s interior can reach 40C even when the outside temperature is relatively mild, such as 20C, due to the greenhouse effect of the car’s windows.
On a warmer day, for example, with an outside temperature of 29C, a car’s interior can reach 39C within 10 minutes and 48-50C within 30 minutes. To avoid any risk of your contraception not working, it’s best to move it indoors.
The same rules apply to other common medications – such as inhalers, antibiotics, and insulin. If you are unsure if heat has affected your birth control, contact a pharmacist for more advice. It might be best to discard the birth control and replace it.
Medical News Today has a handy guide of some alternative places where you’re able to stash birth control that avoid these safety risks. People will need to follow instructions on the packaging regarding temperatures and storage advice for each type of birth control or consult a pharmacist.
- Avoid storing birth control in excessively hot or cold places for extended periods of time
- Store birth control in a dry, cool place at room temperature and avoid direct sunlight
- Avoid humid places, such as bathrooms or kitchen cabinets, that are close to heat sources
- Keep the birth control out of reach of children and pets
- If travelling by aeroplane or car, keep birth control in carry-on luggage or the glove box, rather than the trunk of a car
- Keep it in its packaging until they are ready to use it, or use a birth-control-friendly container or case to store it
- Avoid storing condoms in a wallet, as the heat and friction may cause damage to them
