A recent study by researchers at the University of British Columbia found a link between use of birth control pills containing the compound drospirenone, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Oral contraceptives include Yasmin, Yaz, Beyaz and Ocella.
The researchers looked at a sample of more than 900,000 women between the ages of 18 and 46 from a database, and adjusted for factors such as age, obesity and a range of medical conditions.
They found a small but significant increase in the rates of irritable bowel syndrome in women taking drospirenone, compared to those taking birth control pills with other artificial hormones.
In their analysis, published in Current Drug Safety, the researchers noted that various forms of available oral contraceptives have similar rates of efficiency, making their comparative safety a primary consideration.
According to the Mayo Clinic, irritable bowel syndrome commonly causes cramping, abdominal pain, bloating gas, diarrhea and constipation. Although it’s frequently uncomfortable, it doesn’t typically cause lasting damage.
But birth control pills with drospirenone have been linked to other, more hazardous medical conditions.
Most oral contraceptives carry an increased risk of blood clots, as does pregnancy. But a number of studies indicate that pills with drospirenone carry up to three times the risk of potentially deadly blood clots compared to other types of birth control pills.
Patients should consult their doctors before making any changes in their medication. A consultation with a Beyaz lawyer is also important if there are significant injuries.
