Birth Control Side Effects Attorneys

Birth control pills are over 99% effective when taken correctly, and over 92% effective even when taken incorrectly. This form of pregnancy protection is not without its risks, however. Before starting any new birth control routine, talk to your doctor about both the risks and the rewards. Some types of birth control could actually cause life-threatening medical conditions if you aren't careful. Read the FDA Side Effect Report For Yasmin.

How does birth control work?

Birth controls contain hormones, which trick the body into thinking it is already pregnant. Some birth control pills contain both estrogen and progestin, while other pills contain progestin alone. The hormones prevent the body from ovulating, and depending on the combination of hormones in the pill, they may also thicken the mucus in the cervix, which prevents the sperm from reaching any egg that is released, and in some cases, the uterus lining also changes, discouraging a fertilized egg from implanting and developing into a fetus.

Why could birth control be dangerous?

Birth control pills could cause serious problems for some uses, but that depends on the type of pill being used. For example, Yaz and Yasmin both raise the level of potassium in the body, which can be extremely dangerous for women with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease. Because of the hormones found in them, combination pills could also increase the risk for heart attack, stroke, jaundice, and gallstone problems. Blood clots can occur in the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism, or causing intracardiac thrombus in the heart. Along with heart attack and intracardiac thrombus, your heart is also at risk for heart rhythm disturbances, such as bradycardia, and other problems. This is not an exhaustive list of the potential problems you could experience with birth control, so talk to your doctor for more information

Am I at risk?

You should talk to your doctor if you have concerns about using birth control. Women who are over 35 years old are at more of a risk for developing serious diseases, and you also have an increased risk for problems if you are overweight, smoke, or already have certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, blood-clotting disorders, or heart disease. Birth control pills may also cause adverse reactions if combined with other drugs or supplements, so always tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications or even over-the-counter vitamins.