Risk of stroke due to abuse of birth control pills

A woman had a stroke due to abusing birth control pills (photo provided by the hospital)

The first patient had a headache for several days, and had some relief with pain medication, and was able to function normally. Before admission, the patient had a severe headache, impaired consciousness, continuous generalized convulsions, deep coma, quadriplegia, and dilated pupils.

The results of the brain CT scan at the Stroke Department, 108 Military Central Hospital, showed a large brain hemorrhage. The patient received multimodal treatment such as intubation, active mechanical ventilation, anti-cerebral edema, anticoagulants, and decompression craniotomy. After intensive treatment, the patient was alert, weaned off the ventilator, able to communicate, and partially active.

The other patient also had a persistent headache, progressive weakness in the left side of his body, and difficulty walking for several days. The patient was admitted to the hospital in a conscious state, with weakness in the left side of his body and muscle strength of 3/5. After a CT scan and screening tests, the patient was diagnosed with a cerebral infarction. The patient was admitted to the hospital without complications of severe cerebral edema, so he was treated with anticoagulants according to the protocol and has recovered well.

At the Stroke Center, Bach Mai Hospital, two other patients are also being treated for complications from using birth control pills. One of them, a 33-year-old patient, despite active treatment with anticoagulants and anticonvulsants, still has mild numbness on one side of her body and needs a long time to recover.

MSc. Dr. Nguyen Hai Linh, Department of Cerebral Stroke, Hospital 108, said that there are many causes leading to cranial venous sinus thrombosis, such as patients with hypercoagulability, blood diseases, or reduced platelet quality. In addition, some other causes are prolonged malignant infection, pregnancy.

"In these patients, we have investigated the other causes, so we can confirm that the stroke was caused by the abuse of birth control pills," the doctor said, adding that taking birth control pills for a long time will increase the risk of blood clots, leading to stroke, due to the hormones in this drug. Because the main symptom is headache, the patient is more subjective and does not go for a check-up.

Mechanism of thrombosis of oral contraceptives

MSc. Dr. Dinh Trung Hieu, Stroke Center, Bach Mai Hospital, said that birth control pills are effective and have undeniable value to the community. However, when using birth control pills, there is also a potential increased risk of blood clots, so it is necessary to use them properly to avoid complications.

A study in Iran (2024) showed that more than 50% of women with cerebral venous thrombosis had a history of oral contraceptive use, 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.

The estrogen component in birth control pills can activate blood clotting by increasing the concentration of fibrinogen and prothrombin - factors that promote blood clot formation. At the same time, estrogen also reduces protein S, a natural blood clotting inhibitor of 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.

Women under 35 years old, smokers, overweight or with a history of blood clots or strokes should be especially careful when using birth control pills. If you intend to use monthly birth control pills long-term, women should see a specialist for examination, necessary tests and advice on safe and effective use. Do not use or prolong the time of taking the pill without professional advice.

During use, if you notice any unusual symptoms such as increasing headaches, pain at night, painkillers not helping, especially if you have unusual muscle spasms or loss of consciousness, you should go to a medical facility immediately. During the examination, pay attention to providing complete information about the type of medicine and the time of use.

Besides birth control pills, women can consider measures such as: intrauterine device (IUD), contraceptive implant, contraceptive patch, condom or sterilization for those who no longer want to have children.

TB (according to VnExpress)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/nguy-co-dot-quy-boi-lam-dung-thuoc-tranh-thai-409851.html