Drug & supplement interaction

Yerba Mate + Ethinyl Estradiol

Ethinyl Estradiol brand name: Estinyl.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Ethinyl Estradiol falls into 3 drug categories that Yerba Mate can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, estrogens might increase the levels and adverse effects of the caffeine in yerba mate.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodProbable
Interactions3
EvidenceB
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Yerba Mate and Ethinyl Estradiol

These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

Yerba Mate interacts with whole categories of medication. Ethinyl Estradiol falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Yerba Mate in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

ESTROGENS

1 of 3

Why this applies to Ethinyl Estradiol

Ethinyl Estradiol falls under ESTROGENS — the group Yerba Mate interacts with.

Theoretically, estrogens might increase the levels and adverse effects of the caffeine in yerba mate.
Yerba mate contains caffeine. Estrogen inhibits caffeine metabolism.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence B

Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's an interesting twist with this pairing. The concern isn't that yerba mate changes your ethinyl estradiol (the estrogen in many birth control and hormone pills). It's actually the other way around. Estrogen can slow down how your body clears caffeine, and yerba mate is loaded with caffeine. So when you combine them, the caffeine tends to hang around longer and hit harder.

In real life, that might mean more jitteriness, a racing heart, trouble sleeping, or feeling wired after your usual cup or two of mate. This is considered a probable but mild-to-moderate effect, and it's easy to manage. If you notice these symptoms, try cutting back on mate or other caffeine. Your birth control or estrogen therapy still works the same. Chat with your pharmacist if you're unsure.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Pollock BG, Wylie M, Stack JA, et al. Inhibition of caffeine metabolism by estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women. J Clin Pharmacol 1999;39:936-40. PubMed
Minor

CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) INHIBITORS

2 of 3

Ethinyl Estradiol also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) INHIBITORS.

Theoretically, concomitant use of CYP1A2 inhibitors and yerba mate might increase levels and adverse effects of the caffeine in yerba mate.
Yerba mate contains caffeine. Caffeine is metabolized by CYP1A2. Theoretically, drugs that inhibit CYP1A2 may decrease the rate of caffeine clearance and increase caffeine levels.
Severity Minor Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the thing to keep in mind with this pairing: the concern isn't really about your ethinyl estradiol (the estrogen in many birth control pills and hormone products). Instead, it works the other way around. Estrogens like this one can gently slow down the liver enzyme (called CYP1A2) that clears caffeine out of your body. Since yerba mate is loaded with caffeine, it may stick around longer than usual.

In plain terms, your usual cup or two of mate might hit you a little harder. Think jitteriness, a racing heart, trouble sleeping, or an upset stomach. This is a minor, theory-based interaction, so it's nothing to panic over. If you feel wired, just ease up on the mate. As always, check with your pharmacist if you have questions.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Hagg S, Spigset O, Mjorndal T, Dahlqvist R. Effect of caffeine on clozapine pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2000;49:59-63. PubMed
  2. Carrillo JA, Benitez J. Clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions between dietary caffeine and medications. Clin Pharmacokinet 2000;39:127-53. PubMed
Minor

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

3 of 3

Ethinyl Estradiol also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, yerba mate might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research shows that yerba mate extract inhibits CYP3A4 enzymes. Theoretically, taking yerba mate may increase levels and adverse effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
Severity Minor Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the simple version: yerba mate has been shown, in test-tube studies only, to slow down an enzyme called CYP3A4. That same enzyme helps your body break down ethinyl estradiol, the estrogen in many birth control pills and hormone products. In theory, if that enzyme is slowed, a bit more estrogen could linger in your system, which might nudge up estrogen-type side effects like nausea, breast tenderness, bloating, or headaches.

The honest part: this is based on lab data, not real people, so it's rated minor and largely theoretical. Casual mate drinking is very unlikely to cause trouble. If you drink it heavily or use concentrated supplements, just mention it to your pharmacist or doctor so they can keep an eye on things.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Feltrin C, Farias IV, Sandjo LP, Reginatto FH, Simões CMO. Effects of Standardized Medicinal Plant Extracts on Drug Metabolism Mediated by CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 Enzymes. Chem Res Toxicol 2020;33(9):2408-2419. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Yerba Mate Also Interacts With Other Medications

Yerba Mate has 8 major, 504 moderate, 573 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Ethinyl Estradiol one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Major 8 Moderate 504 Minor 573 No known interaction 1,745 (incl. Ethinyl Estradiol)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Yerba Mate

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Yerba Mate. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Ethinyl Estradiol

This page covers Yerba Mate only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Ethinyl Estradiol page lists 211 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Grapefruit (major), St. John's Wort (major), Acacia Rigidula (moderate) and Adrafinil (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 170 moderate · 38 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Ethinyl Estradiol page

“Ethinyl estradiol (Estinyl) is the estrogen in many birth control pills, and I treat its supplement list with real care, because the stake is not just side effects but whether the pill keeps working. Three of its 211 interacting ingredients are rated major, and those come first: St.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Ethinyl Estradiol interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Yerba Mate as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 68 real supplement products containing Yerba Mate, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Yerba Mate. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Ethinyl Estradiol too, on top of Yerba Mate — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Yerba Mate and Ethinyl Estradiol Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Yerba Mate
Steady interest

#1,012 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Ethinyl Estradiol
Steady interest

#1,920 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Yerba Mate

What is Yerba Mate?

Yerba Mate
  • Energy and alertness
  • Weight loss
  • Mental focus
  • Digestive support
  • Antioxidant support

Yerba mate is a caffeine-containing herbal beverage from South America that is widely enjoyed for its stimulating, coffee-like effects. While it is rich in antioxidants and is being studied for weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol, strong human evidence for most health claims is limited. Drinking very hot mate over many years has been linked to higher risk of certain cancers, so enjoy it warm and in moderation.

Read the full Yerba Mate monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Yerba Mate

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Yerba Mate — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

8Major
504Moderate
573Minor
1,744No known interaction
8 Major 504 Moderate 573 Minor 1,744 No interaction
Major

8 interactions

Moderate

504 interactions

Showing 60 of 504 moderate interactions — see all 504 on the Yerba Mate page.

Minor

573 interactions

Showing 60 of 573 minor interactions — see all 573 on the Yerba Mate page.

No interaction 1,744 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Yerba Mate against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,744 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Yerba Mate list.

See the full Yerba Mate interactions page
See every supplement checked against Ethinyl Estradiol, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Yerba Mate monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Ethinyl Estradiol supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Ethinyl Estradiol, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Yerba Mate and Ethinyl Estradiol Together: Common Questions

Can you take Yerba Mate with Ethinyl Estradiol?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Yerba Mate and Ethinyl Estradiol?
Ethinyl Estradiol belongs to more than one drug category, and Yerba Mate interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Yerba Mate and Ethinyl Estradiol interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Ethinyl Estradiol and Yerba Mate?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.