Patients who use drospirenone-containing birth control at higher risk for blood clots
Women who are looking for cost-efficient birth control may be able to save money if they buy Canadian Mirena at a fraction of what it costs in the U.S.
Women who are looking for cost-efficient birth control may be able to save money if they buy Canadian Mirena at a fraction of what it costs in the U.S. This intrauterine device can serve as an alternative to oral contraception. A recent study suggests that a type of oral birth control that contains drospirenone can increase a woman's risk for blood clots.
While noting that all oral contraceptives can increase the risk of blood clots, researchers from Israel decided to focus their attention on birth control that contained drospirenone, which is marketed as being less likely to cause weight gain. For their investigation, the team reviewed medical data of nearly 330,000 female patients, aged 12 to 50 years, who took oral contraceptives between 2002 and 2008.
Results showed that compared to second and third generation oral contraceptives, birth control that contained drospirenone was more likely to cause blood clots in the veins, such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms. However, this medication did not increase the likelihood for arterial blood clots. These higher risks occurred particularly in the first few months of using drospirenone, as published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
"With the increasing use of drospirenone-containing contraceptives, it is important to raise awareness of the increased, albeit small, risk of venous thromboembolism relative to third-generation pills, especially among those who are older or obese," the researchers said.
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