quote:

ORIGINAL: SweetDommes

Personally, I'd like to know what other risk factors the woman had before I go boycotting anything - or advising others to do so. 
As a nurse, I have heard plenty of evidence on both sides, and - if there are no other risk factors present - there is no more danger to only having your period a few times a year than there is in having it every month.  The problem with only having it a few times a year happens when there are other risk factors - like a history of clots, smoking, etc, and if you have those, you aren't supposed to be on birth control anyway. 
The chances of getting blood clots from birth control is there for everyone, it does increase SLIGHTLY when you skip periods (I'm talking an increase in instance of less than 1% with no other risk factors, according to what I've found so far), but not enough that I would start telling people to boycott that type of birth control.

quote:

ORIGINAL: KatyLied

Isn't there a similar problem regardless of the type of oral contraceptive you take? I remember 20 years ago being told (by the prescribing physician) that there was increased risk for stroke and blood clots and heart attacks. I don't think it has changed.

quote:

ORIGINAL: KatyLied

Isn't there a similar problem regardless of the type of oral contraceptive you take?  I remember 20 years ago being told (by the prescribing physician) that there was increased risk for stroke and blood clots and heart attacks.  I don't think it has changed.

quote:

ORIGINAL: onestandingstill

Information is Power (see below):




"Recently this past week, my cousin Nicole Dishuk (age 31...newly grad
student with a doctorant degree about to start her new career as a
Doctor...) was flown into a nearby hospital, (She lives in Penn. )
because she passed out.

They found a blood clot in her neck, and immediately took her by
helicopter to the ER to operate. by the time they removed the right half
of her skull to relieve the pressure on her brain, the clot had spread
to her brain causing severe damge.

Since last Wednesday night, she was battling.. they induced her into a
coma to stop the blood flow, They operated 3 times..

Finally, they said there was nothing left that they could do.. they
found multiple clots in the left side of her brain.. the swelling
wouldn't stop, and she was on life support..

        She died at 4:30 yesterday. She leaves behind a husband, and a
2 yr old Brandon and a 4yr old Justin.. The CAUSE of DEATH - they found
was a birth control she was taking that allows you to only have your
period 3 X's a year...
        They said it interrupts life's menstrual cycle, and although
it is FDA approved... shouldn't be - So to the women in my address book
- I ask you to boycott this product & deal with you period once a month
-
so you can live the rest of the months that your life has in store for
you.

*Please send this to every woman you know - you may save someone's
life...