Countless women take birth control pills and use other hormone containing contraceptive devices world wide every single day, but few realize and understand the deadly risks associated with the medications. Female hormonal contraception can lead to blood clots, a condition known as venous thromboembolism (VTE).
When a blood clot forms inside a deep vein, it is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), this kind of blood clot can cause catastrophic health injuries. According to the American Thrombosis Association, approximately 2 million people are affected by DVT each year and around 74 percent of Americans are unaware of the disease.
Our Dallas, Texas based law firm are filing lawsuits against the manufacturers of Nuvaring and Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella birth control medications for the failure to adequately warn women of the potential risks of side effects. The complaints involves similar allegations that drospirenone and the active ingredient in Nuvaring increases the risk of blood clot when compared to some older oral birth control pills. Furthermore, that the manufacturers failed to adequately warn about the risk of users suffering a pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, stroke or other injury.
Types of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
A deep vein thrombosis or DVT, which typically affects a leg, can break loose and travel through the venous blood stream to the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be deadly. If a clot travels to the heart it will cause a heart attack; if it is to the brain, it will cause a stroke.
Causes of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
DVT commonly forms after prolonged bed rest or long distance travel where the legs have been still, for example in a plane or bus ride and the blood can pool and clot in the veins.This process can be exacerbated by oral contraceptives. Hereditary factors, birth control pills and hormone therapy increase the risk of occurrence.
Symptoms of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
The National Blood Clot Alliance warns that swelling, pain, tenderness, reddish or bluish skin discoloration and unusual warmness are common symptoms of DVT, typically in the legs. Signs of Pulmonary Embolism, PE include breathlessness, stabbing chest pain, increased heart rate and bloody cough.
Birth Control Pills and Nuvaring
According to medical experts and recent FDA studies, use of a birth control pill such as Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella or Nuvaring ring device may increase the risk of VTE to between a one to four times greater risk of blood clot formation than not being on any birth control.
According to a recent study from the University of Copenhagen, women who took birth control pills were at three times the risk of blood clots than those who didn’t use any type of hormonal birth control, but those who used non-oral types of hormonal birth control had an even greater risk. Skin patches created an eight times higher risk for blood clots, and women who used vaginal rings had a six and a half times increased risk.
In that same Danish study, the authors found intrauterine devices or IUDs were not associated with blood clots. In fact, researchers said they were associated with a reduced risk and may even have a protective effect against clotting.
If you or a loved one suffered a blood clot side effects or a deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism from Nuvaring or Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella birth control medications, it is important that you contact a Dallas drug injury and product liability attorney. You may be eligible for compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. To learn if you qualify to file a Texas Nuvaring or Dallas Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella lawsuit, contact Dallas drug injury attorney Dr Shezad Malik at (214) 390-3189 or (214) 390-3189.