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New Finding on Side Effects of Certain Birth Control

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Reproductive System related image Photo: Getty Images

In the world of science and medicine, information is ever-changing. Take the subject of birth control pills. Some say they are safe, some say they are definitely not, while others advise caution but still see their usefulness as a birth control option.

A new study has been published online by the British Medical Journal on the potential side effects of the hormone drospirenone. This hormone is found in certain relatively new birth control pills such as Ocella, Yasmin and Yaz. CNN reported that this study was held in the U.S by Dr. Susan Jick of the Boston University School of Medicine. The resource used for this new finding was taken from United States medical claims data and a United Kingdom research database. What was specifically revealed was that 30.8 blood clots per 100,000 women in the U.S. and 12.5 blood clots per 100,000 women in the U.K. were reported. All of these patients used the newer birth control pills in question.

Do all agree with these findings? Of course not. Drug manufacturers like Bayer (Yaz) strongly disagree. Bayer challenged their conclusions and stands by “the overall assessment about the safety of Bayer’s oral contraceptives.” They also stated that the risk of blood clots is the same for either – whether older birth control pills or newer birth control pills. While Jick agreed that the risk is low, she continues to assert that drospirenone was found to indeed have a higher risk. But other doctors cautioned against being too quick to act since all medicines have side effects. They plan to continue to use these newer birth control pills, but be very conscious about warning patients in regard to any side effects as they would any other medicine or pill prescribed.

Resource: CNN, Worldpharmanews.com

Dita Faulkner is a freelance writer who loves to laugh.

Birds of a feather: http://dita40.wordpress.com/

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Dita Faulkner
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.