Warning: Oral contraceptives cause blood clots, paralysis... in women

Oral contraceptives are convenient but there are increasing warnings about their health effects - Illustration photo

The Stroke Center, Bach Mai Hospital recently admitted a 33-year-old female patient. Taking a medical history, the patient said she had been using birth control pills for about 3 months, and was admitted to the hospital with a severe headache accompanied by convulsions.

Imaging results showed that the patient had cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with hemorrhage. Despite active treatment with anticoagulants and anticonvulsants, the patient still had mild hemiplegia and needed a long time to recover.

Another case was a 34-year-old woman who was taking oral contraceptives. She was also admitted to the hospital because of a persistent headache and was found to have a cerebral venous thrombosis. Fortunately, the lesion did not affect the brain parenchyma and the patient recovered completely after a week of treatment.

According to a study from Iran (2024), more than 50% of women with cerebral venous thrombosis had a history of using oral contraceptives, of which 70% used second-generation pills. A 2015 meta-analysis also showed that the risk of cerebral venous thrombosis in oral contraceptive users was 7.59 times higher than that of non-users.

A few days ago, at the 108 Military Central Hospital, two women also suffered strokes related to birth control pills.

Mechanism of thrombosis of oral contraceptives

The estrogen component in birth control pills can activate blood clotting by increasing the levels of fibrinogen and prothrombin - factors that promote blood clot formation.

At the same time, estrogen also reduces protein S, a natural blood clotting inhibitor in the body. For people with the Factor V Leiden gene mutation, the risk of blood clots when using birth control pills can increase 20-30 times.

Research results show that women under 35 years old, smokers, overweight or have a history of blood clots or stroke need to be especially careful when using birth control pills.

MSc. Dinh Trung Hieu - Stroke Center, Bach Mai Hospital - issued a warning: Contraceptive pills are effective and have undeniable value to the community. However, when using contraceptive pills, there is also a potential increased risk of blood clots.

During use, if you experience any unusual symptoms such as increasing headaches, pain at night, pain relievers not helping, especially if you experience unusual muscle spasms or loss of consciousness, you should immediately go to a medical facility for examination.

What should women taking birth control pills pay attention to?

During the examination, pay attention to providing complete information about the type of medicine and the time of use.

Oral contraceptives are useful tools, but they need to be used properly to avoid complications. The MSc recommends: "Contraceptives are useful tools, but don't turn them into a "time bomb" with:

- Regular health check-ups.

- Consult your doctor before taking birth control pills, especially if there are risk factors.

- Screen for gene mutations if family has history of blood clotting disorders.

- Maintain a healthy lifestyle, drink enough water and avoid fasting while using birth control pills.

Doctors also advise that birth control pills are only truly safe when used properly and under the supervision of a doctor. Don't be subjective about your health - choose the right birth control method and have regular health check-ups to prevent risks.

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DIEU HIEN (BACH MAI HOSPITAL)

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/canh-bao-thuoc-tranh-thai-duong-uong-gay-huyet-khoi-liet-o-nu-gioi-20250414123224599.htm