Further reinforcing results of previous studies, new research from New Zealand suggests that the use of oral contraceptives may cause a nearly 10-fold increase the risk of developing a fatal pulmonary embolism.
Several previous case-control studies had found that their use was associated with an increased risk of deep-vein thromboses and nonfatal pulmonary embolism.
The incidence was somewhat higher than we expected" stated one on the study's authors, who found that 65% of women who died from pulmonary embolisms were current oral contraceptive users.
The risk of death from pulmonary embolism in oral contraceptive users was estimated at 10.5 deaths per 1 million woman-years, which is much higher than previous estimates, which had put the annual incidence at 1 or 2 per 10,000 women, with a fatality rate of only 1-2%.
Risk factors for pulmonary embolism includes a past history of deep venous thrombosis, being extremely overweight, or prolonged immobility.
Lancet 2000; 355: 2133-2134
Most medications on the market have some valid purpose that I will occasionally recommend them for. In my view ALL birth control pills have absolutely no therapeutic benefit that outweighs their huge risks. I ask ALL of my patients to stop them as soon as possible.
They will increase the risk of heart attacks, breast cancers, strokes and as this article shows, pulmonary embolism. If one is using them for birth control, I find that an inexpensive personal microscope evaluation which allows one to evaluate the cervical mucus, along with another form of birth control (such as condoms, natural family planning, diaphragms, etc.) equals or exceeds the ability of "the Pill" to avoid unplanned pregnancies.
If one is using birth control pills to control their menstrual cycles, irregular bleeding, cysts, or endometriosis, they are going down the garden path of disease and destruction.
Birth control pills never correct the underlying dysfunction. It is essential to balance the adrenal glands in these situations, as cortisol levels modulate and control the female hormones, especially progesterone.
Most of the menstrual problems, but certainly not all, are related to low progesterone levels in the last half of the cycle. I believe Bio Health Diagnostics (800-570-2000) has the best program out there for diagnosing and correcting the problem through free fraction salivary hormone testing. I have seen some incredible results with their system.