Do Drospirenone Birth Control Pills Increase the Risk of Blood Clots?
All birth control pills increase the risk of blood clots, especially among women who are over 35 and smoke cigarettes. Is there a chance that your oral contraceptive could be putting you at a higher risk, though? Here's what you should know about birth control pills containing Drospirenone and your risk of blood clots.
Do Drospirenone Oral Contraceptives Cause Blood Clots?
Drospirenone, which is a type of progestin, is believed to increase the risk of blood clots. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, two recent studies have found that women who are using oral contraceptives which contain this hormone are two to three times more likely to develop blood clots than women who use birth control pills which contain levonorgestrel. Other studies have found that there is not an increased risk of blood clots, however. The FDA is currently investigating the effects of Drospirenone to see if pills containing this hormone offer more benefits than risks.
How Do I Know if My Birth Control Pill Contains Drospirenone?
There are a number of oral contraceptives which contain Drospirenone. Beyaz, Safyral, Yasmin, Yaz, Gianvi, Loryna, Ocella, Syeda, and Zarah are all birth control brands which contain Drospirenone, according to WebMD. To find out if your pill contains the hormone, be sure to read the informational packet included with your pill or visit the website. Note that if your pill contains levonorgestrel, it does not contain Drospirenone.
Should You Stop Using Your Pill Due to the Risk of Blood Clots?
If you're thinking about stopping your oral contraceptive due to the risk of blood clots, the FDA recommends talking to your doctor beforehand. Since the studies which have been done on Drospirenone have shown mixed results, it is not considered necessary for you to stop using your pill at this point in time. That said, there are many oral contraceptives which contain levonorgestrel that you may consider switching to if it makes you feel more comfortable about avoiding the possible risk of blood clots.
How Do You Know if You Have a Blood Clot?
Regardless of what type of birth control pill you are using, it's important to be aware of the signs of blood clots. Symptoms of blood clots include persistent leg pain, shortness of breath, and severe chest pain, according to WebMD. If you experience these symptoms, it's important to contact a licensed healthcare professional immediately.
At this point, studies on the link between Drospirenone birth control pills and the risk of blood clots are inconclusive. Until new information on the effects of the hormone becomes available, the FDA doesn't recommend stopping your oral contraceptives without speaking to your doctor beforehand.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only. Consult with a licensed healthcare professional if you are concerned about your health.
Sources:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
WebMD
Do Drospirenone Oral Contraceptives Cause Blood Clots?
Drospirenone, which is a type of progestin, is believed to increase the risk of blood clots. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, two recent studies have found that women who are using oral contraceptives which contain this hormone are two to three times more likely to develop blood clots than women who use birth control pills which contain levonorgestrel. Other studies have found that there is not an increased risk of blood clots, however. The FDA is currently investigating the effects of Drospirenone to see if pills containing this hormone offer more benefits than risks.
How Do I Know if My Birth Control Pill Contains Drospirenone?
There are a number of oral contraceptives which contain Drospirenone. Beyaz, Safyral, Yasmin, Yaz, Gianvi, Loryna, Ocella, Syeda, and Zarah are all birth control brands which contain Drospirenone, according to WebMD. To find out if your pill contains the hormone, be sure to read the informational packet included with your pill or visit the website. Note that if your pill contains levonorgestrel, it does not contain Drospirenone.
Should You Stop Using Your Pill Due to the Risk of Blood Clots?
If you're thinking about stopping your oral contraceptive due to the risk of blood clots, the FDA recommends talking to your doctor beforehand. Since the studies which have been done on Drospirenone have shown mixed results, it is not considered necessary for you to stop using your pill at this point in time. That said, there are many oral contraceptives which contain levonorgestrel that you may consider switching to if it makes you feel more comfortable about avoiding the possible risk of blood clots.
How Do You Know if You Have a Blood Clot?
Regardless of what type of birth control pill you are using, it's important to be aware of the signs of blood clots. Symptoms of blood clots include persistent leg pain, shortness of breath, and severe chest pain, according to WebMD. If you experience these symptoms, it's important to contact a licensed healthcare professional immediately.
At this point, studies on the link between Drospirenone birth control pills and the risk of blood clots are inconclusive. Until new information on the effects of the hormone becomes available, the FDA doesn't recommend stopping your oral contraceptives without speaking to your doctor beforehand.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only. Consult with a licensed healthcare professional if you are concerned about your health.
Sources:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
WebMD
Published by Jody Morse - Featured Contributor in Health & Wellness
Jody Morse has a B.A. in English from East Stroudsburg University. As a sufferer of endometriosis, she enjoys writing about women's health issues. She has worked as an assistant wedding DJ, and is dabbling i... View profile
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