A study has revealed that usage of birth control pills puts one at a greater risk for developing clogged veins and arteries. Shalini with more on that. Popular birth control pills, Yaz and Yasmin, may leave one at a higher risk of clogged veins and arteries. In the US, the FDA has asked for new warning labels, which is something pharma major Bayer has said it will do.

Yaz and Yasmin are the part of a new generation of birth control pills that contain the compound drospirenone. The US FDA study found that women who use these are twice as likely to develop blood clots than those on older contraceptives.

Most birth control pills contain another compound, levonorgestrel, which is why one needs to consult with their gynaecologist on which low dose birth control pill is the best.

"We will have to be careful with women with a history of heart disease, or obesity or if she smokes," said Dr Geeta Chadha of Apollo Hospital.

But the US FDA's study estimated that while women on older contraceptives had only about a six in 10,000 chance of getting a blood clot, the newer drug had a 10 in 10,000 chance.

All birth control pills have side effects, and do increase the chance of getting blood clots. And even a slightly higher risk of clotting can trigger heart attacks or a stroke.

But doctors say the benefits outweigh the risks, especially in a certain set of patients.

"It's prescribed to women who have certain hormonal imbalances and who get too much acne or too much hair growth," Dr Geeta Chadha said.
For now, Yaz and Yasmin are among the top-selling contraceptives in the US and in India, doctors say these pills form ten per cent of the birth control market.