Some women have experienced Yasmin birth control side effects after using Yasmin, Yaz or Ocella contraceptive pills. Women may be exposed to a higher risk of blood clots than would be the case if they used other, older oral contraceptives. The increased risk is due to the combination of ethinyl estradiol (estrogen) and drospirenone. Combining those two hormones can increase the likelihood of experiencing dangerous Yaz blood clots. If the clots form in a superficial vein near the skin’s surface, the danger is limited. However, if they form within a deep vein, they can cause a number of potentially life-threatening circumstances.
Below, I’ll describe these circumstances and explain the use of anticoagulants as a form of treatment. You’ll discover that these blood thinners, while effective for preventing Yaz blood clots from growing larger, are limited and carry their own potential side effects.
The Serious Dangers Of Yaz Blood Clots
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms within a deep vein. It does not, by itself, present a life-threatening condition. It can impair your circulation and cause discomfort, but does not represent a serious health risk.
However, DVT can be extremely dangerous if the clot detaches itself from its site and travels with the bloodstream. Depending on whether it reaches and blocks a carotid, coronary, or pulmonary artery, it can cause stroke, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism (respectively). Each of these are potential side effects of Yasmin blood clots.
When women who are taking Yaz birth control suffer clotting, they are often prescribed anticoagulants. The question is, how effective are these drugs in preventing or treating the clots? And what types of risks do they present?
Warfarin, Heparin, And Other Anticoagulants
There are several anticoagulants, including warfarin (commonly known by its branded name, Coumadin), heparin, Lovenox, and Plavix. Aspirin is also prescribed to help “thin” the blood. Anticoagulants do not thin your blood; they limit your blood’s ability to coagulate. It’s also important to realize that these blood thinners do not dissolve existing clots, though they can prevent them from becoming larger.
Coumadin prevents clotting by limiting the amount of vitamin K in your body; vitamin K normally increases the clotting efficiency of your blood.
Heparin works by binding itself to an inhibitor called antithrombin III. This binding activates the inhibitor, which deactivates a number of proteases used to form clots.
Lovenox is known as a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). It also works by binding to antithrombin III.
Plavix contains an antiplatelet ingredient called clopidogrel hydrogen sulphate. Like aspirin, it prevents platelets in your blood from clumping together, thus preventing clots.
Potential Side Effects Of Blood Thinners
All of the above anticoagulants can be used to prevent Yaz blood clots from growing, though they will not break up existing clots. Each also carries a risk of serious side effects.
Coumadin can cause profuse bleeding within the eye or within the intestines. It can also interact poorly with other medications, supplements, and even foods. Heparin can also cause abnormal bleeding, and has been linked to adrenal and ovarian hemorrhaging. As a LMWH, the side effects of Lovenox are similar to heparin. The drug can also cause an allergic reaction in patients. Lastly, Plavix, like the others, can cause abnormal bleeding as well as diarrhea, dizziness, and flu-like symptoms.
Anticoagulants can be used to treat dangerous Ocella blood clots. They are often prescribed to prevent DVT from worsening or causing life-threatening conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism. But, there are risks involved.
If you or someone you love has suffered blood clots after taking this birth control pill, contact a Yasmin side effects attorney to discuss your legal rights.
