New Birth Control Pills again Linked to Blood Clots
A study which came out on Monday revealed that the newer type of birth control pills out in the market might have a higher risk of blood clots than their older counterparts. 330,000 Israeli women were studied for the same and it was found out that those women who took pills containing the hormone drospirenone were more prone to developing blood clots typically called venous thromboembolisms than the women who took any other kind of pill. This hormone is fpound in the brand names like Yaz and Yasmin, Beyaz and Safyral.
The risk increased by forty three to sixty five percent in women who took the so called second and third generation pills containing the new hormone. The blood clots which are result of the reactions of the pills are generally formed in the veins of the legs but can travel up to the lungs where they cause fatal pulmonary embolism. An editorial published with the study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal written by Dr. Susan Solymoss of the Mc Grill University of Montreal said, “It’s important to remember that all oral contraceptives are associated with a risk of blood clots,” Dr. Susan Solymoss also suggested that the women taking birth control pills must openly consult with their doctors regarding all the risks, side-effects and the benefits associated with the intake of these contraceptive pills.
But the blood clot risk ups gradually with the growing age of women. The women above the age of 35 and who smoke at the same time are always advice to refrain from taking in birth control pills because of the high risk factor of blood clots in them. This was told by Dr. Naomi Gronich who led the study. Dr Gronich who is from the Technion Israel Institute of Techology located in Hafia also said that other risk factors should also be considered which increase the chances of blood clot. These factors include obesity and high blood pressure. The risk is greatest in the initial months when women start taking these pills but those who are 4-5 months into it shouldn’t worry much.
Prior to the report the study conducted and funded by the industry on the Yaz and Yasmin brands of the pills showed that there was no increase in the risk as compared to the other similar formulation under different brand names. But many studies have revealed the fact that the new pills are having increased risk of blood clots in those women who take these contraceptive pills.
