The Birth Control Patch and Strokes
The Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (FDA), when it approved the birth control patch, did not require that reports of deaths or serious health problems be sent to the FDA. This reporting procedure is voluntary.
The AP article stated that about one dozen women, mostly in their late teens and early twenties, had died from blood clots while using the patch. In addition, dozens more survived strokes and other clot-related problems. The AP article stated that 800,000 women in 2004 were using the birth control patch. During this time, women on the patch were three times more likely to die or survive a blood clot or related problem, compared to women taking the pill.
According to the AP article, in the studies conducted prior to FDA approval, the rate of non-fatal blood clots was 12 out of 10,000 patch users. The rate of death was 3 out of 200,000.
- Severe leg cramps/pain
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Chest pain
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Shortness of breath
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Severe headaches
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Severe Abdominal Pain
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Shortness of Breath
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Blurred vision
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