Question for other ladies Please.

[Kelsey]

I'm 22 and I started smoking heavily at 14. I started vaping about 6 months ago and I don't smoke cigarettes anymore. I'm thinking about starting birth control pills, specifically Beyaz (similar to Yaz) and I know smoking increases risk for side effects, like blood clots, etc.

Does vaping increase the risk of side effects the way smoking does? I don't think my gynecologist knows much about vaping.

 

[bmwjen]

At 22, I wouldn't worry about it. I stopped birth control at 30, because I was worried about blood clots.

I've probably seen 3 young (under 30) women in the last 10 years with a blood clot or worse pulmonary embolism (blood clot that moves to your lungs) in the ER. This 'could' be directly related to smoking/nicotine intake, because these were otherwise healthy women, with no prior medical history, normal body weight, normal daily physical activity.

So, YES, IMO, I believe that vaping still carries the risk of getting a blood clot when you are also using birth control. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor. This means that it "clamps down" the vessels, doesn't allow the blood to flow as much, therefore, it sits in one spot longer.............causing a blood clot.

Yaz, or a birth control with similar hormone content..............whether you smoke/vape or not...........I would TOTALLY be worried about a CVA aka stroke. For some reason Yaz happens to be the one I see young women having strokes with.

I am not a doctor. My opinions are only based on 10 years experience in several emergency rooms across the USA. I am a Registered Nurse and Certified Emergency Nurse. Please consult your doctor for more information.

I hope this helps at least a little bit.

 

[Zelphie]

Yup,... what she said. Nic can surely raise the risk so be sure to tell your dr. about your nic use prior to using the medication.

 

[Kelsey]

Thank you very much for sharing your personal experience with me. I was hesitant about Beyaz to begin with, but now I'm convinced not to take it. I will talk to my doctor about my nicotine use while I'm considering other methods of birth control.

 

[Vocalek]

Nicotine replacement products have not been shown to increase blood pressure. So far, only one clinical trial has measured blood pressure after e-cigarette use, and no increase in heart rate or blood pressure was seen. http://www.casaa.org/files/Virgiania Commonwealth University Study.pdf

For that matter, smoking doesn't seeme to be a direct cause of hypertension, either. In fact, in at least two life-style intervention trials, the groups that succeeded in stopping smoking had a higher rate of hypertension develop than those who kept smoking.

As far as blood clots go, I have heard that smoking increases the risk of blood clots, but so far have never seen any reports that straight nicotine does so.

As anecdotal evidence, I offer this. I have been on HRT for over 10 years. As you may have read, HRT increases the risks of the type of strokes caused by blood clots (from 2 out of 10,000 to 4 out of 10,000). My blood used to clot very rapidly when I was smoking. Now that I am vaping, my blood clots very slowly. I have to apply pressure to get the bleeding to stop when I cut myself.

At the age of 22, the risk of blood clots are very low unless you have a genetic risk factor.

According to the CDC "Summary Chart of U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2010," even among women who smoke, if the age is less than 35, the advantages for using contraceptives outweigh the risks.

Summary Chart of US Medical Eligibility Criteria for ... Age. Menarche to <40=1. Menarche to <18=1. ... (DVT) /Pulmonary. i) higher risk for recurrent DVT/PE, 4, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1. embolism (PE). ...www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/UnintendedPregnancy/Docs/USMEC-Color-final.doc

 

[izabella]

For that matter, smoking doesn't seeme to be a direct cause of hypertension, either. In fact, in at least two life-style intervention trials, the groups that succeeded in stopping smoking had a higher rate of hypertension develop than those who kept smoking.

I always wondered about this. I've smoked (a lot) for over 20 years, and my blood pressure checks have always been normal, and even on the lower end of normal. I could never grasp how that was possible, since I've always heard cigarettes raise your blood pressure. Made me wonder if, without cigarettes, I actually would have blood pressure that's too low and smoking was just bringing me up to normal. I'll be curious to see what happens at my next check-up.

And yes, I did take bc pills (Ortho-Novum) while I was smoking, until I was in my 30's. Bad idea, for sure, but I didn't have any bad effects, so I guess I'm lucky.

 

[Vocalek]

Here is a news article on the topic, from Birth Control Pills: Some Brands Carry Higher Risk of Blood Clots - ABC News

Two new studies add to the growing evidence that birth control pills containing a newer type of progestin may put some women at higher risk for blood clots.

Both studies, published today in the British Medical Journal, found that women who took pills containing drospirenone -- which includes the brands Yasmin, Yaz and Ocella -- more than doubled their risk of nonfatal blood clots when compared with those who took pills containing levonorgestrel, an older form of progestin, included in the brands Levlite or Levlen.

But experts advise caution in interpreting these results: The overall risk for blood clots with any birth control pill -- whether it contains drospirenone or levonorgestrel -- remains low, said Dr. Lauren Streicher, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.

"While there may be an increase in blood clots, it's important to keep in mind that the likelihood of developing a blood clot is so low in a low-risk population that a two- to three-fold increase may not translate to large absolute numbers," said Streicher.

Pregnancy actually puts women at higher risk for blood clots than birth control pills -- a blood clot occurs in one pregnant woman for every 1,000 to 1,500 pregnant women, while one in 3,000 women who take birth control pills experience some form of blood clot, according to the National Blood Clot Alliance.

 

[Vocalek]

I always wondered about this. I've smoked (a lot) for over 20 years, and my blood pressure checks have always been normal, and even on the lower end of normal. I could never grasp how that was possible, since I've always heard cigarettes raise your blood pressure. Made me wonder if, without cigarettes, I actually would have blood pressure that's too low and smoking was just bringing me up to normal. I'll be curious to see what happens at my next check-up.

And yes, I did take bc pills (Ortho-Novum) while I was smoking, until I was in my 30's. Bad idea, for sure, but I didn't have any bad effects, so I guess I'm lucky.

Me too. My BP was 102/60 for decades. Now it is 127/67.

 

[Zelphie]

Thank you very much for sharing your personal experience with me. I was hesitant about Beyaz to begin with, but now I'm convinced not to take it. I will talk to my doctor about my nicotine use while I'm considering other methods of birth control.

Not that you "shouldnt" use it, I think the odds are still in your favor for having a good outcome but always talk to the dr. first cause none of us here know of other unknowns in your life and health.

 

[asti]

I'm not not keen on all these "new" products they seem to be rolling out... then again I thought the depo shot was the cutting edge when I used it, damn Im old... lol

 

[Kelsey]

Haha It's tough deciding what method of bc to use...it seems so many get recalled or something goes wrong. My gynecologist keeps pushing Beyaz at me when I talk to him, but I am going to get a second opinion, because I think there's a financial interest in it for him. After my examination I received two sample packs and coupons, so I that's the reason he's pushing so tough. I talked to him about my nic use, and he still pushes the Beyaz. Oh, he also had a prescription sent to be filled for me at the pharmacy, when I said I wasn't sure if I wanted it.
I wasn't going to take the pill out of fear, but now it's partially because I'm mad at the doctor for pushing it, lol. Thank you all for all your helpful advice. I have to start figuring out which method to use.

 

[Landhew]

I'm pretty much against any hormonal BC because I lost a cousin to it. She was 26 with one young son when a pulmonary embolism took her life. It was linked to her birth control.

 

[Kelsey]

I'm pretty much against any hormonal BC because I lost a cousin to it. She was 26 with one young son when a pulmonary embolism took her life. It was linked to her birth control.

I'm so sorry about your cousin. That was a tragedy. So far I'm still not on BC in fear of such a thing happening to me. Women really have awful cards dealt to them in comparison to men. I hear they are in the process of making a male birth control, but I'm not sure how safe it would be for men.

All I know is I don't want to have babies yet, and I don't want to suffer any fatal side affects from a pill.

 

[asti]

well, theres always the good old "raincoat" and diaphragm, oh yes... is your partner Sponge worthy...?
(gads... now I've dated myself... well only if you get the reference, LOL)

 

[Kelsey]

I haven't heard of the sponge so I looked it up...and it seems a very unique form of contraception, but I don't think it's for me. It's really a shame the pill has so many side affects, because it's the simplest. I'm not to keen on insertion method...I'd be really uncomfortable with that, since I won't even use tampons. Fortunately, the pill was intended to partner with the, "raincoat," in case something unexpected occurs. I'm thinking of pairing barrier contraception with extra spermicidal lubricant just in case there is any sort of mishap.

Hahaha I realize I'm a bit fussy. Thank you very much for you helpful information and suggestions.

 

[ScooterGirl]

I always wondered about this. I've smoked (a lot) for over 20 years, and my blood pressure checks have always been normal, and even on the lower end of normal. I could never grasp how that was possible, since I've always heard cigarettes raise your blood pressure. Made me wonder if, without cigarettes, I actually would have blood pressure that's too low and smoking was just bringing me up to normal. I'll be curious to see what happens at my next check-up.

And yes, I did take bc pills (Ortho-Novum) while I was smoking, until I was in my 30's. Bad idea, for sure, but I didn't have any bad effects, so I guess I'm lucky.

I smoked, and I mean heavily (1.5 packs on a regular day) for 33 years and my blood pressure was, and remains, 90/60; that's low to say the least. I also have a resting heart rate of 64 BPM; this has improved a bit since I started vaping as it used to be 75 BPM. While I have no doubt cigarettes can have a major effect on the cardiovascular system I also have no doubt that genetics can seriously tamper that effect. Not so sure about the lung cancer thing though and that's why I vape. Well, that and the fact that I couldn't breath for crap!

I've never taken birth control pills as I always took those warnings about smoking and birth control very seriously. I went the diaphragm route; used the Sponge for a while too until they took them off the market. THAT made me angry (Darn them! Darn them straight to heck!). I seriously LOVED the Sponge!

 

[Kirssstens]

You might consider basing your pill choice on dosage size, ie. lowest dose possible (of estrogen combined with progestin) to effectivly combat pregnancy. Having never taken the pill before, any gyno worth his salt should start you on the smallest dose possible with the least amount of side effects. There is now a huge range of products available with dosage levels of small to high. You should do your own research on contraceptive reviews and low dose birth control - Alesse and Mircette are two that come to mind. Also a consideration is what your insurance will pay for, some of the newer "name brand ones" might not be generic yet and your insurance will balk at paying when perfectly good generics are available.

 

[firefuna]

I had an IUD placed about 4 years ago, the one without hormones. I don't understand why they're not more popular, they're cheap, practically idiot-proof & last for at least 10 years. My main motivation was avoiding bloodclots (I'm 43, last analog was 2.5 months ago).