TresSugar

NuvaRing and Blood Clots - How Likely Are They?

DearSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:30:00 -0800

I've been receiving shocking emails lately, forwarded from friends about the NuvaRing causing ER visits and deaths due to blood clots. I'm not sure if you've heard any of this, but I thought it'd be a good idea to do a little research and set the record straight.

To find out if you should stop using the NuvaRing, read more.

You should know that with the use of all hormonal birth control, there's the possibility of some serious side effects; one of them being blood clots which can lead to a fatal stroke or heart attack. This is a huge concern for women who have a history of blood clots or cardiovascular disease. With the NuvaRing, the risk may be greater because of the type of progestin hormone used in the Ring. It's different than the type used in other low-dose forms of birth control, such as the pill. This doesn't necessarily mean that you'll get blood clots from using the NuvaRing - it all depends on your body and how it reacts to certain types of hormones. Your risk for these serious side effects may be increased if you smoke cigarettes, are over 35, or have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. If you're a faithful NuvaRing user or know someone that is, I'd set your mind at ease by speaking with your doctor - he or she will be able to determine if the NuvaRing is a healthy option for you, or if you should switch to another form of birth control.

Yaz and Yasmine: Are These Birth Control Pills Safe?

TresSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Anne Marie Eakins, a 34-year-old history teacher in Grafton, OH, developed blood clots in both lungs in 2007 and even lost partial use of her right lung. The cause, as she sees it? The newish oral contraceptive Yaz, the top-selling birth control pill in the US, which she switched to after a decade of using different kinds of birth control pills without incurring health problems. She is now suing the makers, Bayer HealthCare pharmaceuticals.

Like 74 other plaintiffs against the makers of Yaz and its sister pill, Yasmine, which was introduced a few years before, Eakins decided to make the switch in part because of the added benefits touted in multimillion dollar ads that ran on television. Yaz, which contains even less estrogen than low-estrogen Yasmine, is advertised as a product that could reduce acne and severe PMS, in addition to preventing pregnancy. How do Yaz and Yasmine differ from other birth control pills? To find out, read more.

Although both Yaz and Yasmine come with the standard warning that the hormones in birth control pills (estrogen plus progestin) can increase the risk of stroke and blood clots in a woman's legs or lungs, lawyers representing the plaintiffs and regulatory agencies claim that Bayer's ads overstate the products' effectiveness and don't adequately warn of possibly higher risks of clots unique to Yaz and Yasmine.

They say Bayer doesn't take into account research that indicated that a hormone unique to the products (drospirenone) increases the likelihood of clots compared to birth control that has the standard levonorgestrel hormone. (Lawyers claim Bayer relied on its research findings in Germany that concluded there is the same risk, over Dutch and Danish research that had the opposite conclusion.) Other criticisms are equally troubling: that the manufacturing plants in Germany responsible for the hormones in Yaz and Yasmine differ in quality control from what is required for US products; that studies conducted were performed with an ethnically homogeneous group, not taking into account blood-clot risk factors in a more ethnically variable US market; and finally, that Yaz and Yasmine are marketed for conditions like PMS, for which the drug is not approved.

I considered switching to these kinds of birth control pills because of the claim that they prevented severe PMS. Do you believe the marketing for products like Yaz and Yasmine or do you do your research before you buy?

Will Health Risks Keep You Out of Your Skinny Jeans?

TresSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:00:00 -0700

We've heard that skinny jeans can cause tingling thigh syndrome, but in news that will surprise absolutely no one who wears skinny jeans (I even sit half-lotus while meditating in mine!), Consumer Reports physicians say that wearing skinny jeans could also give you bladder infections, yeast infections, blood clots and even fertility problems!

“Once you have those symptoms," NYU assistant professor of neurology Dr. Keith Stiller says with a straight face, "it’s probably not a good idea to for you to keep wearing those clothes.” (Ya think?) What about you - will anything come between you and your ~~Calvins~~ skinnies?

Do You Use New Generation Birth Control?

TresSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 10:00:00 -0700

I came across an eye-opening article recently about "third-generation" birth control, which includes products like the NuvaRing (approved by the FDA in 2001) and the birth control patch. According to the piece, new forms of birth control most likely come with a higher risk of blood clots and strokes, risks that the FDA has somehow not given much weight to.

The Mother Jones article told the scary story of 32-year-old mother of two, Jackie Bozicev. In 2007, while using the NuvaRing, a blood clot that migrated from her pelvic area to her lungs caused her to drop dead in front of her two-year-old son. Her husband is now suing the drug company Organon, claiming that it never studied how the NuvaRing's new route for hormone delivery may be more dangerous than taking pills. Because the NuvaRing's dose goes directly into the blood stream (pills lose up to half of the hormones in the digestive tract), it could be as much as two-times more likely to cause blood clots.

Even if the risk of fatality with the ring is higher than the pill, it's still relatively low. Stories like Jackie's, however, demonstrate that there is more to learn about new forms of birth control.

Would you wait for more time to pass before using a newer and more convenient form of birth control, or have you broken free from the pack?

Group Urging FDA to Pull Birth Control Patch

DearSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:00:00 -0700

If any of you ladies use Orth-Evra (the patch), I may have some bad news for you. A US advocacy group has filed a petition urging the FDA to pull the patch from the market. Why? Studies have found that using the patch can increase a woman's chances of dangerous blood clots. These clots can trigger life-threatening heart attacks or strokes, especially if you are a smoker. Of course the risk of blood clots is common with all hormonal birth control, but clots are twice as likely to occur in women who are using the patch. This type of birth control can expose a woman to 60 percent more estrogen than birth control pills, which is pretty scary.

In its defense, the FDA feels that the risk of developing a clot is low - for every 10,000 women who use hormonal birth control for one year, three to five of them will develop a blood clot. Also, Ortho Women’s Health & Urology, the Johnson & Johnson division that makes the patch, believes that there are risks and benefits to using the patch, just like there are with other types of hormonal birth control. But it seems the risk is higher with the patch.

This makes me a little wary; how about you? If you use Ortho-Evra or are thinking about using it, talk to your gynecologist and get his or her advice. There may be a better birth control option out there for you.

Source

Pros and Cons of the NuvaRing

DearSugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 07:30:00 -0800

When it comes to preventing pregnancy, many women opt for hormonal birth control because it's easy to use and extremely effective. Aside from the pill, the NuvaRing is one of the more popular options. If you're considering switching to this form of birth control, you'll want to know the pros and cons, so read more.

Pros

Cons

When used correctly, it's 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. That means you can be spontaneous and have sex without worrying about getting pregnant.
It's simple to use because you only have to think about it twice a month.
Most women say they can't feel it once inserted.
Since it releases a steady amount of hormones, women will notice fewer mood swings than if they were on triphasic birth control pills (where the hormone levels change every week).
If you decide you want to have children, once you stop using the NuvaRing, ovulation should return within 13 to 28 days.

It doesn't protect against STIs.
If you are uncomfortable touching yourself, you may have an issue inserting and removing the NuvaRing.
Some guys complain that they can feel it during sex.
It can slip out while straining to go to the bathroom or during sex, so you have to check it frequently to make sure it's still inside you.
If you smoke while using the NuvaRing, the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects is increased.
The risk of blood clots may be greater with the type of progestin in NuvaRing.
Combination hormonal contraceptives, like the NuvaRing, that contain both estrogen and progestin, can worsen conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and problems with cholesterol.
Hormonal contraceptives may increase your risk of stroke.

Myths About the Pill: Last Five

DearSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

I hope I set your mind at ease by debunking the first five myths about the pill yesterday. If you've been waiting to hear more, check the last five:

Women who smoke cannot use the pill: It's a fact that if a woman smokes cigarettes and uses the pill, she has a higher risk of having a stroke or developing blood clots. If she's 35 or older, the risk is even greater. A doctor will not prescribe regular dose combination pills, but a woman who smokes can take lower dose hormones or estrogen-free pills instead.
The most risky time to miss a pill is in the middle of the pack: If you happen to miss a pill, the most risky time is actually at the beginning or the end of the pack. That's because a woman needs to take seven consecutive pills in order to prevent ovulation and it's actually possible to miss the next seven days without the risk of pregnancy. But if a woman misses pills toward the end of the pack, she may not have enough hormones inside her to prevent ovulation the next month. The bottom line here though is to try your hardest not to miss any pills.

To see the rest, read more.

The only use for the pill is as contraception: While the number one reason women use the pill is for pregnancy prevention, many women take it for other reasons. There are pills that clear up acne, decrease PMS symptoms, prevent cramps, and lighten menstrual flows, which helps to lower the risk of anemia. The pill can also protect against ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, osteoporosis, excess facial hair, and some types of migraines.
Women over 35 can't use the pill and teens need permission to get the pill: Age doesn't play into the equation, only health. If a woman has normal blood pressure and no increased risk of heart attack or stroke, then she can use the pill until she hits menopause. As for teens, they don't need permission from their parents to acquire the pill. If they choose to go on it, they only need to get a prescription from their doctor or a clinic.
The pill causes cancer: Actually, one-third of pill users are less likely to develop ovarian or uterine cancer as compared to non-pill users. The longer you use the pill, the more you are protected, and it's recommended to stay on the pill for at least five years to reap these benefits. Most experts agree that taking the pill does not cause any types of cancer, even breast cancer.

Source

Health Benefits of the Pill

DearSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:00:00 -0700

I'm sure many of you are on the pill for various different reasons, but most of you have been on it for years, so have you ever asked yourself if you were doing more harm than good? If so, and if you're concerned about the health risks of taking the pill, check out this chart below.

Health Benefits

Studies have shown that being on the pill for more than two years can decrease your risk for ovarian cancer by 70 percent, and endometrial cancer by 50 percent (great news).
The occurrence of benign ovarian tumors is also decreased.
Higher dose pills can decrease the development of ovarian cysts and fibroids.

To see the rest of this list, read more.

Health Benefits

Not only can the pill lighten your periods, but that decrease in blood loss is great for women who have issues with anemia.
If you have extremely painful or heavy periods, the pill can help alleviate these symptoms.
If you have acne, certain types of pills can help clear up your skin.
Certain pills such as Yaz can also help with PMS (goodbye crying uncontrollably and breaking up with your boyfriend every month!).
You'll be happy to hear that being on the pill for extended periods of time doesn't affect your fertility, so when you're ready to become pregnant, your body will be ready soon after you go off it.

Dear's advice: As you can see, there are numerous benefits to being on the pill. You should know that there are also health risks that go along with taking hormonal birth control. Although it's rare, the pill may cause blood clots, strokes, or heart attacks. If you're a smoker or over 35, these risks are increased. If you have a family history of any of these issues, you probably should find another form of birth control.

Source

What's the Deal With the Patch?

DearSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 08:00:00 -0700

All the women I know who don't want to get pregnant are on some type of hormonal birth control, because it's an easy, reliable and an extremely effective form of birth control (besides abstaining from sex altogether of course).

The Pill is great and all, but you have to remember to take it every day. The NuvaRing is also a hormonal birth control, but I've heard a few women complain about it falling out, or that their partner could feel it which leaves us with Ortho-Evra (more commonly known as the Patch).

Just like the Pill and the NuvaRing, the hormones found in the patch prevent you from ovulation. You simply have to put on a new patch once a week, for 3 consecutive weeks each month and then go "patch-free" the fourth week when you get your fake period.

What's Great:

It's just as effective as the Pill (99%) if used correctly.
It's discreet. You can wear it on 1 of 4 areas - upper outer arm, upper torso (front and back, excluding the breasts), abdomen, or your booty.
You can bathe, shower, swim, sweat, or work out with it.

To hear some drawbacks, read more

Drawbacks:

As with all hormonal birth control, there are serious risks involved, including blood clots and stroke. Also, the risk of heart attacks is increased if you smoke cigarettes while using the Patch.
It can leave a sticky mark on your skin, like band-aids do.
You have to check it everyday to make sure it's adhered to your skin.
Sometimes it can peel or fall off. If it's been off for less than 24 hours, just reapply a new patch and you are still protected against pregnancy. If it has been more than 24 hours, you have to apply a new patch, and use a backup method of birth control (like condoms) for the next 7 days.
The Patch does NOT protect against HIV or other STIs.

Dear's Advice: The FDA has warned women that since Ortho-Evra contains more hormones than regular birth control pills, they are at a greater risk of developing blood clots and other serious side effects. For most doctors, the Patch isn't the first form of birth control they'd suggest so if you are interested, talk to your doctor about the potential risks and whether it is right for you.

Source

Is the Pill to Blame?

DearSugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

The pill's side effects have had a bad wrap for quite a while now - weight gain, mood swings, blood clots, etc. - but now researchers are adding poor judgment when it comes to finding a mate to that list. We all know about pheromones, but MHC (major histocompatibility complex) genes are another big player when it comes to compatibility. Apparently the best mates are those with a different MHC smell than you, but new research found that women on the pill are actually attracted to men with matching MHC.
According to Live Science,

MHC genes churn out substances that tell the body whether a cell is a native or an invader. When individuals with different MHC genes mate, their offspring's immune systems can recognize a broader range of foreign cells, making them more fit.

To make things even more complicated, matching MHC can cause fertility problems and the potential for the relationship to dissolve if the woman goes off the pill since her order detection will change.

As someone that's been on the pill before, and had a string of incompatible mates, I can't say if it was pure coincidence or if the pill was actually to blame. What do you all think? Does this research have any merit when it comes to your personal life or do you think it's all happen circumstance?

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