Think Birth Control Pills Are Dangerous? Try Pregnancy
EmailBy JOANNA SCHAFFHAUSEN, ABC News Medical Unit
Since hormonal birth control first appeared in the 1960s, nearly 80 percent of women have taken it at some point in their lives. The pills and patches are so commonplace now that many of us tune out the warnings on the packaging or at the end of the commercials — something about increased risk for heart attacks, strokes and blood clots? But a new study affirms the risks are real and well worth considering, especially for certain groups of women.
Chrisandra Shufelt and C. Noel Bairey Merz, two doctors from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, conducted a review on heart health and birth control that was published this week in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. They found that the hormones can trigger blood clots, which in the arteries can cause heart attacks and in the brain can cause a stroke. Overall, the heart risk appeared about 2.5 times greater for women currently using hormonal birth control compared to those who were not.
The results sound very scary — birth control pills double your risk for heart attacks — but a little more context helps put the findings into perspective. First, women of child-bearing age have a low risk for serious heart disease; the risk for death from heart disease is about 0.002 percent per year for women under 35. So even if hormonal birth control doubles those odds, the risk is still quite tiny indeed.
There is even better news for those who don’t smoke. Studies suggest that the bulk of heart attacks and strokes caused by birth control occur in smokers. Some research even finds no increase in heart risk among healthy, nonsmoking women on birth control pills.
Also, if you’re looking for something that raises the risk for women’s heart problems, consider pregnancy. Studies show pregnancy is linked to a two- to three-fold increase in the odds of heart attack, an eight-fold increase in the odds of stroke, and as high as a 50-fold increase in the odds of blood clots. Hormonal birth control pills look quite safe by comparison.
But low-risk is not NO risk, and women should be aware of the effects that these pills and patches can have on their health. Women over 35, especially those who smoke or have high blood pressure, may want to consider methods of birth control that do not alter hormones, such as condoms or a diaphragm.
Women should also examine why they are taking the pills and determine if the health trade-offs are worth it. Hormonal birth control is “marketed now almost as a lifestyle drug,” Dr. Sharonne N. Hayes, director of the Mayo Clinic Women’s Heart Clinic, told ABC News. According to Hayes, more and more women are taking birth control for other conditions such as acne and mood disorders linked to menstruation. Women must decide if treating these problems with birth control is worth the increase in heart disease risk.
Finally, though the risk remains, there is some evidence to suggest that it’s decreasing with newer forms of birth control. The review by Shufelt and Bairey Merz included several articles that found lower rates of heart disease in women taking more recent formulations of the pill or the patch. The newer versions tend to use lower doses and slightly different combinations of hormones, both of which may cut down on the risk.
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Yes, pregnancy is dangersous, far too dangerous to allow women to fall into. We should force all women to submit to sterilization so they cannot possibly have to deal with the horrors of pregnancy.
The author is a loon…and a blind ideolog to boot.
Posted by: James | January 15, 2009, 10:42 am 10:42 am
Rhythm method works for most women without complications.
Posted by: Huh | January 15, 2009, 11:14 am 11:14 am
“The author is a loon…and a blind ideolog to boot.”
You’re out of your mind. What ideology is the author supposedly following blindly? Did you even read the article? It’s hardly an opinion piece advocating against pregnancy. Please keep YOUR blind ideology to yourself.
Thank you for this informative article.
Posted by: Enough | January 15, 2009, 11:43 am 11:43 am
It’s much better to pretend that getting pregnant doesn’t at all carry any risks. Because no woman has ever died from it or suffered some serious health consequences. The statistics are neutral; they are what they are. You are the one intent on making some strange interpretations of them.
Posted by: Emily | January 16, 2009, 5:23 am 5:23 am
There is no doubt these hormones are dangerous and other methods should be considered. My very healthy 25 year old non-smoker almost died of a pulmonary embolism(massive blot clots in her lungs)We have no history of this in our family. This was all due to her birth control pill.It does upset me that the doctors hand out these drugs like it’s candy. These pills should be taken seriously!!!!!
Posted by: cindy | January 16, 2009, 7:03 am 7:03 am
I too had a healthy, nonsmoking, college student, 21 year old on birth control pills that I almost lost. She ended up with a brain bleed on the right side and several blood clots in her head. One being 2 cm in her main vein. She ended up having a stroke and was told she wasn’t going to make it. They weren’t going to treat her because she had a bleed and several clots in her head. They didn’t know how to treat it and this is all due to hormone therapy. She is currently living back at home and finishing college. She will be in therapy and on blood thinners for a year.
Posted by: Shari | January 16, 2009, 8:26 am 8:26 am
I’m a 25 yo female and I’ve been on birth control for the past year. So far I have no side affects at all and the pros (for me) outweigh the cons. However you do need to realize that is not candy and it should be taken with caution.
Posted by: Dana | January 16, 2009, 10:05 am 10:05 am
The “rhythm” method is not reliable, being based on calenders and not the woman’s personal signs. The Fertility Awareness method, which takes these signs into account, is, however, very effective.
Any risk seems pretty stupid when a woman can only get pregnant 5 days max out of the month. If you know which days, and you can with FAM, very simple to avoid pregnancy (abstinence, condoms)
I will never advise my daughter to use hormonal birth control. So many other non-invasive options available which carry no risk.
Posted by: raven | January 16, 2009, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm
To Cindy & Emily: I have delivered babies for 34 years. I have had three mothers die during pregnancy (does not include trauma, car accidents or cancer) I have never had a woman die while taking the pill. You can blame the pill for your daughters problems but the pill is only a facilitator in the case of thrombo-embolism.
Posted by: Terry | January 16, 2009, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
To Terry, I’m surprised at your dismissal,of the dangers of the pill. After this happened to my daughter I learned of two deaths caused from the pill. One of the girls I actually knew, died in the hospital parking lot driving herself to the emergency room.I think this problem goes under reported. And you are doing a disservice to your patience by not taking these dangers seriously.I also hope your patience have insurance ,the cost of her 10 day hospital stay was about $80,000. Also , I’m not saying pregnancy’s can’t be dangerous,they obviously had complications, and I’m sorry for that.
Posted by: cindy | January 16, 2009, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm
My (ex) wife’s gynecologist had a name for people who used the rhythm method. “Parents”
Posted by: EM | January 16, 2009, 8:33 pm 8:33 pm
One of my older teen son’s friend’s parents told him that the pill was seriously dangerous.He asked me if it was true. I told him about the risks but told him that teen pregnancy was more dangerous. I made sure that he also heard about the emotional health risks about teen sex, etc. I wasn’t trying to undermine the parents but I wasn’t going to lie about the pill either.
Posted by: mm | January 17, 2009, 8:05 am 8:05 am
raven – Agreed. That is what I meant by rhythm….temp, cervix alignment, mucous changes, etc….
Posted by: Huh | January 17, 2009, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm
EM – Don’t be too cynical. If you skip days 10-18 you will probably not get pregnant. Combine it with the other signs I mentioned, you will not be a parent unless you choose to be. It has worked for my wife and I for 10 years now. Of course everybody is different.
Posted by: Huh | January 17, 2009, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm
You know what I would like to see is a study on the psychological effects of these pills. My wife took them for several years and she acted bipolar with bouts of extremely frightening depression. We tried several different pills and none of them helped. She’s been off the pills for two years now and she’s returned to the sweet loving woman I married. I’d be curious to see a study that really looks at what these hormones do the brain and not just the bloodstream.
Posted by: ekoja | January 17, 2009, 10:32 pm 10:32 pm
I was on both the pill and the patch and the patch nearly killed me! I had severe heart palpitations and had to be put in the hospital because the doctor thought I had a heart attack…did I mention that I was onle 22 at the time and in otherwise good health? Doctors also need to note that any form of birth control pill or patch can also trigger something called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome due to the drastic changes in hormone levels. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in October of last year.
Posted by: Jessica | January 19, 2009, 7:53 am 7:53 am
Jessica, I agree with you as to the patch. I had it on for 2 days when my legs swell up to double their normal size and I had serious dizzy spells, not to mention vomiting and nausea…Thank God my signs were immediate and not possible to ignore! When I called my doc, she told me to take the patch off at once and go to see her! She told me that another patient of hers wasn’t so lucky and is now in the hospital undergoing treatment for blood clots in her legs! I’ve also had side effects to the pills…varying from minor to quite disturbing. But let me tell you this, my pregnancy was a breeze, delivery not so much, but still, I delivered naturally and drug-free! I guess, avery woman’s body is different but I strongly believe in taking extreme caution with any hormonal birth control. Most of all, never go to Planned Parenthood! They care more about protecting you from pregnancy and not possible death due to birth control! Make sure you have a gyno who knows you and your med history well!
Posted by: Eve | January 19, 2009, 9:36 am 9:36 am
“More souls go to hell because of sins of the flesh than for any other reason.”
- The most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Mother of God and ever virgin Mary to Blessed Jacinta of Fatima
Posted by: Ken | January 23, 2009, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm
I was denied birth control at age 16 by a planned parenthood organization in memphis, tn. I went to my md who told me my bp was not high enough to do anything about and it was not until I was 37 that I went on birth control after bilateral ruptured brain aneurysm. I do believe I would have suffered other vascular problems if I had indeed went on “the pill”. or atleast would have had other side effects. the way I went I only suffered with three kids!!! joking of course
Posted by: valentina | January 26, 2009, 11:40 am 11:40 am
I was denied birth control at age 16 by a planned parenthood organization in memphis, tn. I went to my md who told me my bp was not high enough to do anything about and it was not until I was 37 that I went on blood pressure medication after bilateral ruptured brain aneurysm. I do believe I would have suffered other vascular problems if I had indeed went on “the pill”. or atleast would have had other side effects. the way I went I only suffered with three kids!!! joking of course
Posted by: valentina | January 26, 2009, 11:41 am 11:41 am
Birth Control pills can be dangerous. Our bodies were not meant to take them. Pregnancy has a risk, but so does driving cars. So, if you believe the word for the rythm method is “parents” hear this: I got pregnant on the pill, and several other “birth controls”…….I have four children. I don’t regret it. And you speak of being a parent as if it were a disease. Why don’t you men take the pill? huh?
Posted by: Kitty | January 28, 2009, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm
It always amuses me when anti-choice idiots try to force doctors to tell women about the unpleasant aspects of abortion and make sure that women have considered all the consequences before allowing them to terminate their pregnancies.
Why don’t doctors also tell women of the unpleasant and often dangerous side-effects of pregnancy? Why don’t they make sure that the women consider all the consequences of being pregnant and giving birth? Why don’t they ask women what they’ll do if they change their minds?
If we stopped mindlessly selling motherhood as an endless series of Kodak moments and encouraged women to consider all the pros and cons of having children, the only ones having children will be the ones who really want them and are equipped to take responsibility for them.
Posted by: A parent, not a breeder | January 29, 2009, 7:25 pm 7:25 pm
Je veux commenter ce post pour exprimer mon indignation face à l’extrême de ce qui se passe dans ce monde, des gens commettent des adultry et au même temps, ils se plaignent au sujet de la contraception et ses dangers
Posted by: the king of darkness | February 3, 2009, 11:29 am 11:29 am
I agree with the “parent not a breeder” in that people should be informed about every option before making any choice!
Birth control is as much a choice as being sexually active. We spend time, energy, and money to teach our young people about the dangers and caution needed to have a sexual relationship. If you go to such extents to tell people protection is necessary, tell them about the protection!
There are plenty of people that are ‘intimate’ that do not get pregnant, and plenty more that use birth control and have no negative side effects. Be an adult. Educate yourself. Society is not made to babysit you, or to kiss your boo-boos when bad things happen.
Birth control is an option, a choice. If you make it, you accept the consequences in favor of protection.
You made the choice, deal with it.
Posted by: if_nothing_else_im_logical | February 6, 2009, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
The birth control pill is not always used for birth control; it is also used to regulate periods.Having your period 3wks out of the month is not easy and can cause iron deficiency. Some of your evil comments are uncalled for. Although now learning how dangerous the pill is (can be deadly) I can live with the discomforts of my irregular cycle; and supplement with iron tablets.
Posted by: Cindy | February 10, 2009, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm
Hi, I am 22 Years old I have the worst cramps in the world every month,I get fevers and no matter what I take the pain wont stop I had to take vicotine once and my pain still didnt go away. I’ve been checked to see if there is anything worng with my tubes or anything abnormal but is negative. My doctor suggested that I take birth control to help my cramps go away. I am so afraid to take the pills. I dont know what to do there is so many complications.
Posted by: Francesca | February 11, 2009, 5:24 am 5:24 am
Francesca, you have my sympathy; I, too, suffered from terrible cramps (and very heavy bleeding) when I was young. It is by no means a trivial affliction.
May I recommend that you talk frankly to your doctor about your fears? If you haven’t already.) He or she may be able to clearly explain the risks and benefits — which can help you decide whether taking birth-control pills would be right for you.
It is true that taking birth-control pills does come with some risks. And some women, depending on their health history, ought not take them. But if you are young and otherwise healthy, the benefits may outweigh those risks.
Frankly, I think a lot of anti-contraception zealots exaggerate the dangers of birth-control pills for young and healthy women.
I, too, was reluctant to take the Pill to ease my monthly agony. However, I researched the issues, talking to more than one doctor and decided to try taking them. I did, and it changed my life for the better.
I’m not saying that taking birth-control pills is necessarily right for you. But please don’t allow fear-mongering to force you to go suffer unnecessarily.
Good luck to you.
Posted by: Katherine | February 11, 2009, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm
Thank You for that Katherine. ;-D
I will wait and speak to my doctor better. I guess I just didnt ask all the questions I wanted to ask, but thats a good idea. Thank A bunch
Posted by: Francesca | February 12, 2009, 4:19 am 4:19 am
We are all forgetting that everyones body is not the same. We are all also failing to realize that mostly any pills you take nowadays come with side effects that we are un aware of. Such as aspiran, advil, accutane just to name a few. Best way to deal with anything to me is just to improve your eating habits, take your needed vitamins, excercise, and use a condom! If not then don’t have sex at all. ;)
Posted by: jessica p | February 25, 2009, 2:31 am 2:31 am
I think a natural approach to medicine and an emphasis on wellness in general and disease PREVENTION is what the entire medical community needs to work towards, that said, I am weary of the pill. Its a fact: the synthetic hormones in the pill do not have the same chemical make-up as the ones our bodies make. It’s cause for worry. Remember when so many women were put on hormone replacement therapy during menopause and suddenly a whole generation suffered from dangerous side effects (cancer, stroke, heart attack)? The women were yanked off the program and doctors had to admit that they were wrong! We should not let history repeat itself. Its true the pill these days is much different from the original version, but what do we really know about how our bodies are being affected?
Posted by: Concerned Woman | March 3, 2009, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm
What is with all the negativity towards birth control pills? Yes there are a few side effects and risks, just like any other medication, but for the majority of women it is not an issue. I am a college student and I take the birth control pill because it lets me have control over my life. I don’t need an unplanned pregnancy, and although I think condoms are great, they still are not as effective as the pill. If you are concerned about the side effects, talk to someone from Planned Parenthood. Or choose another option, maybe there’s one that works best for you. But don’t try to scare people away from using birth control, that should be a personal decision between you and your doctor.
Posted by: College Student | May 12, 2009, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
Dr.Tim!s report on Health care is quite interesting.
I think that America is facing shortage primary health professional in a larger scales.
They have to encourage of Nursing,medical education,Hospital care and maintenance etc.,
New Health care policy By American President will yield good results in forthcoming years.
People have to spend ,time with their health than on entertainment.
Posted by: bngpatsy | June 20, 2009, 1:37 am 1:37 am
The birth control pill. Yaz, has been linked to life-threatening side effects such as strokes, blood clots, and heart attacks. Since 2004, at least 50 deaths have been reported in women taking Yaz and contraceptives made with similar ingredients.
Posted by: Cynthia | October 1, 2009, 10:26 am 10:26 am
The birth control pill. Yaz, has been linked to life-threatening side effects such as strokes, blood clots, and heart attacks. Since 2004, at least 50 deaths have been reported in women taking Yaz and contraceptives made with similar ingredients. There is more information on this disturbing problem at
Posted by: Cynthia | October 5, 2009, 2:13 pm 2:13 pm