Pill And Risk Of Venous Thrombosis: What Is It?

Pill And Risk Of Venous Thrombosis: What Is It? - Although this risk is very low, the pills are associated with a risk of venous thrombosis. It seems that the latest generation of pills are at greater risk than the second generation. What is it exactly? The point on the contraceptive pill and venous thrombosis.

Venous thrombosis, phlebitis: a rare risk in pill

At the onset of the first birth control pills at the beginning of the 60s, the risk of venous thrombosis is a known side effect, albeit potentially serious, but rare. This is why the market for oral contraceptives has always been monitored and reassessed regularly.

Namely: venous thrombosis (also called phlebitis) is the formation of a blood clot in a vein, impeding the circulation and can promote the formation of varicose veins. Sometimes that clot moves and is the cause of complications, including pulmonary embolism is the most serious ...

Very recently, a report (1) concluded that the risk of venous thrombosis is twice as high among women who use 3rd generation pill (containing desogestrel, such as cycléane, varnoline or gestodene, such as Melodia, Harmonet, Minulet) or 4th generation (containing drospirenone, such as Jasmine, Yasminelle, Yaz), compared to women on the pill 2nd generation (levonorgestrel, such as Minidril, Adepal ...).

Here are the figures obtained in a reassessment:

The VTE is approximately 20 cases per 100,000 women with a pill 2nd generation

40 cases per 100,000 women with a pill 3rd or 4th generation

May to October case for women who do not take a pill,

and 60 cases in pregnant women.

The risk / benefit ratio of the pill remains positive

Nevertheless, women can be reassured that, "the risk / benefit ratio of the pill remains positive, regardless of the progestin used" assures us the French Food Safety Agency (AFSSAPS). And if in doubt, do not hesitate to talk with your doctor. It reassess your own benefits and risks of your pill according to your profile.

A wide range of custom prescription pills

But it is a reminder that the prescription of a pill is never done lightly. There are recommendations for prescription and use should be respected. At any prescription contraception, the physician takes into account the potential risk factors and cons-indications to choose the best contraceptive for every woman.

In addition, the range of contraceptives available today, especially in terms of associations progestogen, to find the one that best suits the specific hormonal profile of each woman, but also better tolerated, and to adapt the treatment to better adhesion and facilitate the effectiveness of contraception, preventing oversights pill.

Forgot pill: another risk

Indeed, this is an opportunity to recall that the main risk factor for unintended pregnancy is linked to the forgotten pill. And that besides a rare risk of venous thrombosis, there are still 220,000 abortions in our country per year, a figure unchanged since 30 years, including 50 000 in women who take the pill! Surprisingly, nearly half of women on the pill say forget sometimes, often or regularly ...

To help women never forget their pill, different methods are recommended. The latest is an iPhone application, free, called Pil 'hour, which in addition to make you think and take it day at the right time, discloses specific advice in case you forget the name of the according pill filled (by scanning the bar code).

Posted in: Contraception, Contraceptive Pills, Health Practice