Birth control pills

There has been some recent controversy about the newer oral contraceptives.   It is felt that they may have a higher risk of causing blood clots in women compared to some of the older pills.   The risk goes from 6 of 10,000 women to about 10 in 10,000 women.   However, we know that there are some people who are at higher risk of blood clots due to genetic factors, and it is well known that smoking increases your risk of blood clots, even without the pill.  In addition, most blood clots are not fatal.

ALL medications have some potential risk in certain people, but so does not taking medications in some cases.  The risk of dying due to pregnancy in the US is about 1.3 out of 10,ooo, and the risk of the infant dying is almost 68 out of 10,ooo.

If you have questions on the birth control method you are using, please discuss it with your doctor or other medical provider before stopping or changing medications.

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