Birth Control & Blood Clot Risk

There's a new report out that a certain type of birth control puts you at a higher risk of blood clots. But how big of a risk are we really talking about?

Have you ever heard of the birth control Yaz or Yasmin? Those are the ones that two new studies are now showing put women at a higher risk for blood clots. But experts are saying that even though the risk of a blood clot is higher than other types of birth control, it's still very low overall.

These new studies now back up what a lot of doctors have seen in their own practices. Researchers found that women taking so-called "fourth" generation birth control pills, ones like Yaz or Yasmin, that use a new type of progestin hormone, doubled their chances of developing potentially life threatening blood clots.

Other experts are saying that although this increase risk with newer birth control pills is true, the overall risk is still small. With all birth control pills, you always run a risk of getting a serious blood clot. It's just that some of them, like these newer ones, seem to have a higher risk.

OB/GYN experts are saying that this needs to be looked at on an individual basis. For someone already on Yaz or Yasmin, especially if they've been doing well for six months or longer, it might still be the medicine for them. But for newer patients, or those with a higher risk of blood clots already, another type might be best.