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The pill that increases blood clot risk 24x in obese women
For women, hormones can wreak havoc on the arteries, leading to dangerous, even life-threatening issues.
And while some of these hormonal issues occur naturally, like during menopause, others… not so much.
Like the ones we have to worry about when taking birth control pills — pills that can seem harmless enough until you dig into what they’re really doing to your heart and blood vessels.
In fact, birth control pills have been linked to everything from high blood pressure to elevated cholesterol, which can raise your risk of stroke.
And now there’s one more birth control worry to keep in mind.
That’s because researchers in Italy have discovered a 24-fold increased risk of deep blood clots connected to a certain type of birth control.
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The risk of combined birth control pills
To understand the risk, it’s important to first realize that there are several different types of birth control pills available.
While some forms include only the hormone progestin, others are known as combined birth control pills and have both estrogen and progestin in them.
And here’s where things get sticky…
It’s well established that estrogen-containing contraceptives are dangerous for women suffering from obesity.
Yet, doctors continue to prescribe them to women all across the world.
So Italian researchers set out to quantify the risks around the use of combined birth control pills in the hope that women will be able to better protect themselves, especially when it comes to guarding against deadly clots.
Raising the risk of venous thromboembolism
They broke down the data to do so like this:
- The risk of deep blood clots, also known as venous thromboembolism, increases progressively with body mass index (BMI), with obese women facing more than double the risk than that of non-obese women.
- Combined oral contraceptives are associated with an elevated likelihood of venous thromboembolism (VTE), with users having a three- to seven-fold elevated likelihood of VTE compared with non-users.
- A large population-based study found that in combined pill users, the risk of VTE was 12-fold higher in overweight women and 24-fold higher in obese women when compared with normal-weight non-users.
After analyzing all the data, study author Professor Giuseppe Rosano concluded, “The scientific evidence indicates that obesity and combined oral contraceptives have a synergistic effect on VTE risk and this should be considered in prescribing decisions. Progestin-only products, including pills, intrauterine devices, or implants are a safer alternative to the combined pill in women carrying excess weight.”
Additionally, he suggests that obese women taking contraceptives should take steps to limit their other predisposing factors for cardiovascular disease, by quitting smoking and increasing their physical activity levels.
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Reduce the threat of blood clot
If you’re a woman of childbearing age taking birth control pills and weight is an issue for you, be sure to talk to your doctor about this concern.
In addition to taking the steps recommended by Professor Rosano, if you take birth control pills, you should also be aware of the four signs that you’re suffering from a clot, so that you can seek help immediately.
Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic also recommend eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated.
Finally, consider the Japanese secret to healthy circulation…
Natto is a traditional Japanese dish made from fermented soybeans. It naturally contains an enzyme that promotes healthy blood flow known as nattokinase. Nattokinase supports healthy blood flow by naturally inhibiting fibrin, a fibrous mesh found inside blood vessels that can impede blood flow.
Editor’s note: There are perfectly safe and natural ways to decrease your risk of blood clots including the 25-cent vitamin, the nutrient that acts as a natural blood thinner and the powerful herb that helps clear plaque. To discover these and other secrets of long-lived hearts, click here for Hushed Up Natural Heart Cures and Common Misconceptions of Popular Heart Treatments!
Sources:
Combined birth control pill linked with increased risk of blood clots in obese women — ScienceDaily
Blood Clots — Cleveland ClinicThe Pill Can Worsen Other Risk Factors For Heart Attack, Stroke — Premier Health
By Dr. Adria Schmedthorst
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