Can I Flush Birth control pills Down the Toilet? – Consequences, Fixes, and Expert Advice

 
What Happens if Birth Control Pills Are Flushed into the Toilet Drain?
 

Flushing birth control pills down the toilet might seem convenient at the moment, but this action can have unintended consequences and environmental impacts. Pills and other medications are designed to dissolve slowly and enter the bloodstream via body metabolism. However, when flushed down toilets, birth control pills enter water systems that are not equipped to filter out pharmaceuticals. Here's a detailed explanation of what occurs when birth control pills end up in toilet drains:

 
Environmental Impact of Flushed Birth Control Pills
 

Birth control pills primarily contain hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. When these synthetic hormones reach water supplies, they can significantly affect aquatic life and ecosystems:

• Hormonal Pollution: Synthetic hormones from birth control pills can accumulate in rivers and lakes, even after wastewater treatment. Exposure to these substances at lower levels can disrupt the hormone balance in aquatic wildlife, especially fish and amphibians. This disruption can result in decreased fertility, abnormal behavior, and developmental abnormalities in aquatic animals.
• Ecosystem Damage: The hormone imbalance can lead to problematic biological changes, impacting biodiversity. Populations of fish exposed to elevated hormone levels are found to exhibit abnormalities in reproduction and growth, potentially destabilizing aquatic ecosystems.
• Water Quality Issues: While drinking water treatment facilities work diligently, common treatment methods are often not specifically designed to fully remove pharmaceuticals. As a result, very small traces of hormone contaminants from flushed birth control pills can remain in both municipal tap water and private wells, posing potential health issues when consumed over long periods.

 
Impacts on Water Treatment Facilities & Infrastructure
 

Although birth control pills typically dissolve in water, repeated disposal of large amounts of pharmaceuticals down the drain can strain municipal wastewater treatment systems. Local wastewater treatment facilities, including those in areas such as St Louis and Nashville, expend significant resources trying to manage and eliminate contaminants to ensure clean water discharge:

• Inadequate Filtration: Current wastewater treatment plants usually rely on biological processes and standard filtration methods. Unfortunately, these practices are insufficient at completely removing medications and hormones. Implementing additional treatments to thoroughly eliminate pharmaceuticals also increases operational expenses and process complexity.
• Increased Costs: Dealing with pharmaceutical pollution like hormones from flushed birth control pills drives up costs for local municipalities and water treatment districts, eventually trickling down as raised fees or additional taxes for local communities.

 
Safe Alternative Disposal Methods for Birth Control Pills
 

Instead of flushing expired or unwanted birth control pills, you should follow proper disposal practices. This helps safeguard the environment and protects aquatic ecosystems and drinking water sources:

• Medication Disposal Programs: Many pharmacies, local health departments, and law enforcement facilities offer disposal boxes or community medication take-back programs where you can safely discard unused or expired medications.
• Household Trash Disposal: If safe disposal programs are not available, the recommended practice is to mix unused pills with substances like coffee grounds or cat litter, place them in sealed bags, and discard them in household garbage. This minimizes the environmental risk and prevents accidental ingestion from occurring.
• Awareness and Education: Informing family, friends, and community members about proper disposal methods helps create a better understanding of environmental concerns and can significantly reduce chemical pollution in local waterways.

By responsibly managing pharmaceutical disposal, you can actively contribute to preserving the health of your local environment, water systems, and communities.

 

Gather Necessary Supplies and Preparation

 

Before tackling a toilet clog caused by birth control pills, you'll need the correct tools and supplies handy. Here's a quick checklist of items you should have:

• Rubber gloves
• Toilet plunger with a flange (bell-shaped attachment)
• Plumbing auger (toilet snake)
• Bucket
• Old towels or rags
• Large sponge or cup to remove excess water (optional)
• Cleaning products suitable for toilets

Make sure to prepare the area around the toilet by laying down towels or newspapers to catch any spillages and remove decorative rugs or mats from the vicinity to avoid potential damage.

 

Turn Off the Water Supply and Manage Overflow Risk

 

It's essential to prevent overflowing water before you begin working on the clog. Locate the water supply valve, generally found on the wall behind your toilet, and shut it off by turning it clockwise. Once closed, test by flushing slightly and observing if the tank refills. Additionally, remove any excess water from the toilet bowl using a sponge or small cup and bucket to provide more space for clearing the blockage and minimize overflow risks.

 

Using a Plunger to Clear the Birth Control Pill Clog

 

In most minor clog situations, a sturdy toilet plunger featuring a flange often solves the issue effectively. Follow these steps for plunging the toilet:

• Place the plunger's flange into your toilet bowl drain, ensuring a tight seal around the opening.
• Make sure there's enough water in the bowl to cover the plunger rubber cup completely. If necessary, add some water for better suction.
• Hold the plunger handle firmly with both hands and push down gently at first, gradually building forceful plunging motions without breaking the seal. The repeatedly created suction will loosen the pills stuck in the drain and help push them onward toward the sewer system.
• Repeat plunging motions 10-15 times before lifting the plunger to test drainage. If the clog subsides, the water level should return to normal. If it remains clogged, try plunging several times again before attempting other methods.

 

Using a Plumbing Auger (Toilet Snake) for Stubborn Pill Clogs

 

If plunging fails to resolve the blockage, it's time to utilize a dedicated toilet auger or toilet snake. This specialized plumbing tool features a flexible coil designed specifically to negotiate toilet drain bends and upturn stubborn congestion.

Follow these careful steps:

• Insert the auger's coil end gently into the toilet bowl drain until you feel resistance. Be cautious to avoid scratching porcelain by keeping the protective tube or sleeve touching the surface.
• Rotate the auger handle clockwise while applying steady, gentle pressure. The metal coil should gradually push its way through the drain, clearing the pills blockage as it advances.
• If resistance is encountered, try retracting slightly and gently pushing forward again. Repeated back-and-forth rotations should help break up the pills clog, sending them toward the drainpipe and sewer system.
• Once the blockage feels cleared, slowly remove the auger to avoid splashing or spillages. Flush your toilet cautiously to confirm proper drainage.

Should blockage persist after attempting the toilet auger, contact a professional plumber familiar with residential and commercial plumbing in cities like St Louis or Nashville areas, as sewer and drain pipes can be fragile and easily damaged if excessive force is applied by untrained individuals.

 

Clean the Toilet Carefully After Unclogging

 

Once the toilet blockage caused by birth control pills is successfully cleared, thoroughly clean the toilet bowl, seat, and surrounding area with appropriate toilet-cleaning products to maintain proper hygiene standards. Reopen the water valve, flush repeatedly to verify that drainage is entirely restored, and confirm no further clogging or slow drainage occurs.

Carefully dispose of used gloves, sponges, towels, or rags afterward, and disinfect the toilet plunger or auger coil to prevent potential bacterial contamination.

Lastly, consider placing a small waste bin inside your bathroom for disposing of unwanted pills safely without risking plumbing blockages or environmental contamination in the future.