Contraceptives

You may have noticed that I have not addressed the disturbing issues surrounding the hormonal patch as an acceptable contraceptive. I do not wish to alarm -just to to alert you to investigate this contraceptive thoroughly and certainly discuss its suitability with your doctor if you are wishing to use it.  I am not advocating its use, just pointing you in the direction of the latest information and keeping you up to date with the latest warning.

The Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program (at the request of Johnson and Johnson, manufacturers of the Birth Control Patch) conducted a study of women between between the ages of 15 and 44 who use the patch. The results corroborated an earlier study that there was a greater risk of VTE (Venous Thromboembolism) indicated for women in this age bracket.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) have issued a strong warning that women who use the ‘patch’ may face increased risk of developing blood clots in their legs or lungs, a condition called Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). The labels inside the packages have been changed to reflect this risk. The patch contains much higher doses of estrogen than the contraceptive pill does.

Be Informed and ask questions- there are reports that some women have been using the patch unaware of the possible complications so, given that in 2005 the FDA revealed that the patch sold in the US exposed women to 60% more estrogen than the oral contraceptive ‘pill’, be cautious. The Canadian ‘patch’ has lower levels of estrogen than the one sold in the US but even so, unless you see a HUGE advantage to using this form of birth control, maybe you should consider other options— just in case?

This site has the full report and also shows you stats on contraceptive buys from pharmacies.

Risks- Yes, there are risks with taking oral contraceptives too but now that the estrogen levels are much lower in today’s pills ( 30-20 mg as opposed to 150mg in the 60’s and 70’s) the side effects have been reduced.

The ’scary’ words associated with the “Patch”, namely, blood clots, stroke and heart attack have been loud enough to warrant warnings from Government health officials in Canada and the USA. The adhesive ‘patch’ works by delivering hormones to a woman’s body through her skin- it is only available through prescriptions. We are being reassured that in healthy women the risk is not high but if you add the risks of smoking and obesity….? Mmm..is it worth the extra risk?