Serious side effects Thrombosis risk of modern birth control pills often higher

Modern contraceptive pill often associated with higher health risk
Birth control pills have had a tremendous track record since their invention more than 50 years ago. Today it is one of the most popular contraceptives, which should also help against problems with blemished skin and greasy hair. However, taking the pill also carries health risks that are sometimes significantly underestimated. "Like any other medicine, birth control pills have undesirable side effects," with a "higher risk of thrombosis and embolism - even in young people," among the most dangerous, reports the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). This risk was not reduced even with new-generation pills, but sometimes even higher than in older preparations.

Thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are the most serious complications of taking the pill. According to a study by the European Medicines Agency EMA, the risk of "some new pills of the third and fourth generation one and a half to twice as large as the older pills," says the TK. Birth control pills are not a lifestyle product, the health insurance company warned. For the widespread intake, the experts also responsible for the clever marketing of the pharmaceutical industry. The increasing prescriptions of modern contraceptive pills in young women are rated extremely critically by the authors of the TK "pills report".

The risks of modern birth control pills are often greater than with conventional preparations. (Image: lbfotografia / fotolia.com)

Modern preparations often with much greater risk
Together with scientists from the University of Bremen, the Techniker Krankenkasse has reviewed the new and modern 3rd and 4th generation pills for their medical progress in the current report. Benefits and risks were examined in detail. It has been shown that "preparations of the so-called 3rd and 4th generation often have a much greater risk for the formation of thromboses (blood clots) than the pills of the 2nd generation," according to the TK. Nevertheless, the more modern pills would generally be considered better off and prescribed much more frequently.

Birth control pills are not a lifestyle product
The Chairman of the Executive Board of TK, Dr. Ing. According to Jens Baas, "all currently available birth control pills are reliable contraceptives, but the different preparations have different risks and side effects." In this context, it is worrying that the information is clearly in the pharmaceutical industry. TK is therefore committed to "informing young women better about risks and side effects. Because: It is a prescription drug and not a lifestyle product. "Often, the decision is made for a pill in her teenage years and most users then remain for many years on the same preparation, according to the TK. Since the pill can be prescripted up to the age of 20 even at the expense of the statutory health insurance companies, the pharmaceutical industry specifically targets young women.

Increased pulmonary embolism and venous thrombosis
"Speaking of young women who do not smoke and are not overweight," says Professor Gerd Glaeske from the University of Bremen. But new is not always better. "On the contrary, the pills of the previous generations protect just as well from an unwanted pregnancy and have a lower risk of thrombosis," says Glaeske. According to TK, statistically speaking, taking some of these new generation pills affects nine to twelve out of every 10,000 women per year in embolisms, while the second generation pills only have five to seven cases.

This means that in six to seven million women who use contraceptive pills in Germany statistically, every year several thousand women develop dangerous thromboses and embolisms as a result of taking it. In women who do not take the pill, only two out of 10,000 are affected. Warning signs of a venous thrombosis are swelling of the leg, pain in the leg or calf, a bluish discoloration and increased heat of the leg. In a pulmonary embolism, sudden inexplicable shortness of breath or rapid breathing, stabbing chest pain and sudden onset of cough are possible warning signs.

Targeted marketing of the pharmaceutical industry
According to the Techniker Krankenkasse, pharmaceutical marketing is irresponsible for modern pills on the Internet. Although the online advertising for prescription drugs is actually banned by the German Medicines Act (HWG), but "via Internet portals such as www.pille.de (MSD) or www.schoen-secured.de (Dr. Kade Pharma) can in general Contraception and the pill. "Here is to question whether" between beauty and lifestyle tips in truth an unfiltered information flow of marketing and advertising messages from the pharmaceutical industry to the teenager takes place, "emphasizes Professor Glaeske. In addition, the pharmaceutical companies are also active on Facebook pages such as Love Life (Jenapharm) and on YouTube. Here, usually the supposedly positive side effect on skin or hair in the foreground, even if incidentally referred to the risk of thrombosis. That a pharmaceutical company is responsible for the content is often difficult to recognize.

Warnings are often unheard
"The manufacturers of pills have obviously found out how to use new media specifically for the target group of young women in order to achieve them specifically and with their language," emphasizes Prof. Petra Thürmann, Director of the Philipp Klee Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, in the press release of TK. The warnings of authorities and the voices of critical physicians and scientists, however, would die in the room. It should be noted that the pill is "specifically developed to become closer to certain ideals of beauty and to a lifestyle preparation." This has nothing to do with the original contribution to the sexual liberation of women, self-determination and independence. Here, responsible physicians and their professional societies are required to take a critical position in their guidelines.

"If women decide for the pill, they should look behind the marketing messages of the pharmaceutical industry together with the doctors," emphasizes the TK CEO Baas. On the basis of detailed information, it is then possible to select the pill that is most suitable. (Fp)