Do Birth Control pi.lls Cause Stro.ke in Women? Important Safety Reminders When Using Contraceptive pi.lls

Birth control pi.lls are widely used by many women. However, a notable number of female stro.ke patients share one thing in common — long-term use of oral contraceptives.

According to Vietnamnet, the Neurology Institute at the 108 Military Central Hospital recently treated two young female patients who suffered strokes caused by cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. This is a type of stroke that can be easily overlooked, especially in women of reproductive age using oral contraceptives for extended periods.

 

 

Life-Threatening Risks from Birth Control pi.lls

One of the two patients, born in 1995, showed symptoms of headache and increasing weakness on the left side of her body, along with difficulty walking. By April 8, she was admitted to the hospital with left-side weakness and muscle strength rated 3/5.

After tests and imaging, doctors diagnosed her with a right temporal lobe cerebral infarction caused by thrombosis in the straight sinus, sigmoid sinus, and left transverse sinus. She received timely treatment before severe brain swelling occurred and has since passed the critical stage, with her paralysis now in recovery.

The second patient, born in 1989, arrived in critical condition. She experienced continuous seizures, deep coma, full-body paralysis, and dilated pupils. Prior to this, she had persistent headaches that didn’t respond to painkillers, followed by severe complications. After undergoing a brain CT scan and vascular imaging, she was diagnosed with a large bilateral parietal lobe hemorrhage caused by cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

She required mechanical ventilation, brain swelling management, anticoagulation therapy, and a decompressive craniectomy to relieve life-threatening pressure. However, she was left with serious neurological damage.

According to Dr. Nguyen Hai Linh from the Stroke Department at the 108 Military Central Hospital, both patients had been taking daily birth control pi.lls for a prolonged period.

 

 

Why Are Birth Control pi.lls Linked to Stroke?

Birth control pi.lls come in various forms and often contain the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Prolonged use of pi.lls containing estrogen can lead to serious side effects, particularly an increased risk of blood clots.

Statistics show that users of daily contraceptive pi.lls have a 3 to 6 times higher risk of developing blood clots compared to non-users. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis may lead to complications like brain hemorrhage or cerebral infarction — both forms of stroke — and in some cases, a combination of both.

Safety Guidelines for Using Birth Control pi.lls

Women should consider different contraceptive methods: oral pi.lls, condoms, intrauterine devices, or sterilization. It is strongly recommended to consult a specialist before starting any method, rather than self-prescribing.

Since birth control pi.lls vary in hormone types and dosage, they must be used according to medical guidance.

Women who smoke, consume alcohol, or have high blood pressure, frequent headaches, or a history of stroke should avoid prolonged use of contraceptive pi.lls, as these factors significantly increase the risk of complications.

While birth control pi.lls can be safe and effective, they may pose serious health risks. Women should carefully evaluate all available options, choose a method that suits their body, and minimize potential harm by making informed, healthy choices.