Aug 14, 2009 9:06 pm US/Central
Risk Of DVT With Birth Control Depends On Estrogen
PITTSBURGH (CBS) ―
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A hand holds Ortho birth control pills in a Dialpak dispenser.
AP
In general, birth control pills are quite safe.
"If a patient is properly selected, complications are minimized," says West Penn Hospital OBGYN, Dr. Aurora Miranda.
But for every 10,000 women who take the pill for one year, three of them will develop a dangerous blood clot in the leg that can travel to the lung, That can be deadly.
Two independent studies from Denmark and the Netherlands pretty much found the same thing, CBS station KDKA-TV reported.
These studies received no funding from the companies that make birth control pills. The new research is confirming what previous studies have shown and adds the risk associated with specific hormones.
The Dutch study in the "British Medical Journal" looked at more than 3,000 women – half with blood clots, called deep venous thromboses, or DVTs and half without.
The ones who took oral contraceptives were five times more likely to get DVTs, especially in the first three months of use.
Most pills are a combination of the hormones estrogen and progesterin.
The amount of estrogen plays a role in the risk for DVT.
"The higher the dosage, the higher the risks," Dr. Miranda explains.
Generally, a low dose of 30 to 35 micrograms was deemed safe. Newer progesterin formulations appear to be safer, too -- for example, levonorgestrel.
Your doctor can help you figure out the specifics of your particular pill.
"I hope the day doesn't come when patients can just get birth control pills over the counter," says Dr. Miranda. "Every birth control pill is tailored to every patient and that it comes from a prescription."
Keep in mind, pregnancy, because of its high estrogen levels, isn't risk free either.
"Being pregnant itself presents increased risk factors to DVT," says Dr. Miranda.
The increased risk of DVT can last up to six weeks after delivery.
People with a family history of DVTs should think very carefully before taking any contraceptive pill.
Hormone free options are available, including condoms or a diaphragm.
Certain progestin-only products can be used as well with caution.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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