Good Day Chicago recently aired a news segment on the blood clot risks that come from taking birth control pills.
The piece included an interview with FOX Medical Team’s Dr. Joette Giovinco, who described blood clots as a relatively rare but dangerous complication from oral contraceptives. She said a big hazard from blood clots is that they’ll break off and travel to the lungs.
“That’s when it can become deadly,” Giovinco said.
Giovinco pointed out that pregnancy also puts women at risk of blood clots. But she said women who are taking birth control pills should be aware of their relative susceptibility, especially if they’re over the age of 35, smoke or have a family history of blood clots. They should get immediate help if they experience swelling in their legs, feel unwell or feel pain in their legs, she said.
When asked whether any brands are particularly risky, Giovinco mentioned the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration label changes for birth control pills containing the compound drospirenone.
The FDA announced earlier this month that it’s adding information to the labels of those pills, warning users that numerous studies found as high as a three-fold increase in the risk of blood clots from contraceptives with drospirenone compared to other pills on the market.
Oral contraceptives containing drospirenone include Yasmin, Yaz, Beyaz and Ocella.
See the Good Day Chicago report here: https://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/health/taking-birth-control-pills-could-lead-to-blood-clots-doctor-joette-giovinco-20120424
