Co-administration of St. John's wort and hormonal contraceptives: a systematic review

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Co-administration of St. John's wort and hormonal contraceptives: a systematic review

Berry-Bibee et al., 2016 | Contraception | Systematic Review

Citation

Berry-Bibee Erin N, Kim Myong-Jin, ... Curtis Kathryn M. Co-administration of St. John's wort and hormonal contraceptives: a systematic review. Contraception. 2016-Dec;94(6):668-677. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2016.07.010

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: St. John's wort (SJW) is a known strong inducer of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3 A4 enzyme, and both the ethinyl estradiol and progestin components of hormonal contraceptives are substrates of CYP3A4. This systematic review examined whether the co-administration of SJW and hormonal contraceptives leads to significant safety or efficacy concerns. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were searched for articles of any comparative study design (clinical or pharmacokinetic) that examined potential interactions between SJW and hormonal contraceptives in women of reproductive age. RESULTS: Of the 48 identified articles, four studies met inclusion criteria and compared use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) alone to the use of COCs co-administered with SJW. Two studies demonstrated no change in markers of ovulation, but one study demonstrated increased follicular growth and probable ovulation when COCs were co-administered with SJW. Three studies demonstrated an increased risk of breakthrough bleeding with COCs and SJW. Three studies showed changes in at least one pharmacokinetic parameter that suggested a significantly decreased exposure to hormone concentrations when COCs were co-administered with SJW. The only study that did not demonstrate any significant pharmacokinetic differences examined a SJW product containing a low amount of hypericin. CONCLUSION: Limited evidence showing increased risk of ovulation and breakthrough bleeding raises concern for decreased contraceptive efficacy when COCs are co-administered with SJW. The pharmacokinetic evidence is mixed but suggests that SJW administration may be associated with weak to moderate induction of the metabolism of COCs.

Key Findings

Of the 48 identified articles, four studies met inclusion criteria and compared use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) alone to the use of COCs co-administered with SJW. Two studies demonstrated no change in markers of ovulation, but one study demonstrated increased follicular growth and probable ovulation when COCs were co-administered with SJW. Three studies demonstrated an increased risk of breakthrough bleeding with COCs and SJW. Three studies showed changes in at least one pharmacokinet

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Contraceptives, Oral, Combined
  • Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal
  • Depression
  • Female
  • Herb-Drug Interactions
  • Humans
  • Hypericum
  • Metrorrhagia
  • Ovulation
  • Plant Extracts
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Assessment

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: st.-john's-wort

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09