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Registered: 08-19-2001
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Wed, 04-14-2004 - 11:36am
My Dr. wants me to go on a birth control pill for some health problems that I am experiencing. I have heard that these pills cause the risk of stroke and heart attack to increase. I am 27 years old but I have a family history of heart attack and stroke but I am healthy. I was wondering if anyone knows what the percentage of the risk increase is. I was also wondering if taking that new lower dose pill lowers the risk. Thanks

Amy

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
In reply to: sunset25
Wed, 04-14-2004 - 11:59am
First and formost, if you dont smoke that is great; smoking increases the risks of those problems, especially if you are over 35. Thus, your age is a plus. And being in good health; and not overweight(enough to cause health problems). Yes, the lower dose does lower the risk. When bcps first were available, they contained 50, 80, and 100mcg of estrogen. Now they contain 35, 30, 20 or 15mgm of estrogen, alot lower! I dont know the % of increased risk considering your family history. I am sure there are many who have a family history of these problems and still take the pill. And knowing your family history, I dont think your dr would suggest you take them if there would be major problems. Talk with your dr again and ask him if your fears are warrented. Let us know what you decide!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2000
In reply to: sunset25
Wed, 04-14-2004 - 12:06pm
I don't have any figures for you right off the bat, but I would caution one thing. Don't just look at percentage increase in risk. Look at the numbers associated with that percentage. Let's say I told you your risk of stroke before age 40 doubles on the pill. You'd probably be pretty scared, right? But, if you then found out that without the pill, you have a one in 500,000 chance, and with the pill, you have a 2 in 500,000 chance, that's still double, but the risk is not nearly so scary. Also, look at the population studied and whether they controled for other factors, like lifestyle. The reason I say that is that there are folks out there that are anti-birth control and will use figures to scare women into not taking the pill.

I think your best bet is to talk to your doctor again, bringing up your concerns and discussing your family history in detail.