Can contraceptives cause heart problems? The doctor explains

Can contraceptives cause heart problems? The doctor explains


The heart surgeon clarifies the risks of contraceptives for the circulatory system. Check contraindications and danger signs

According to the United Nations (UN), approximately 150 million women use contraceptives worldwide. Since it was developed in the 1960s, the oral contraceptive formula has undergone numerous improvements, reducing hormonal percentages and adverse effects.




However, risks to women’s health remain, especially linked to the vascular system. Recent studies have shown that prolonged use of the pill promotes the appearance of fatty plaques in the arteries, which can trigger heart disease.

“A contraceptive is usually a combination of hormones estrogens AND progesterone synthetic, which together prevent the woman from ovulating. What happens is that this combination of hormones also affects the vascular system, causing blood vessels and arteries to contract more, thickening the blood and speeding up the process of clot formation. Which can evolve and cause a heart attack or stroke,” explains Dr. Elcio Pires Junior, cardiovascular surgeon and member of the Brazilian Society of Cardiovascular Surgery.

Contraceptive warning signs

The expert emphasizes that the key to the development of heart disease is the woman’s medical history. Additionally, risk factors also need attention, as they significantly increase the chances of heart disease and vascular problems.

Women who suffer from obesity, hypertension, diabetes and/or smoke fall into this group and, therefore, should seek an alternative non-hormonal method of contraception.

“The ideal for all women who want to start using a contraceptive method is to go all the way medical evaluation so that genetic predispositions and risk factors are considered before the final choice of a method”, emphasizes the cardiovascular surgeon

According to the doctor, most women start taking the pill without undergoing preliminary tests to see whether or not they are predisposed to developing cardiovascular diseases. “This ends up generating serious or even fatal consequences,” he warns.

Dr. Elcio also recommends a cardiovascular evaluation for those already using the pill. Call attention with the following symptoms:

  • Hemorrhages;
  • Abdominal pain without a specific cause;
  • Frequent and severe headaches;
  • The vision suddenly changed;
  • Pain and feeling of heaviness in the legs.

In these cases the specialist recommends contacting your doctor. “These signs may indicate that the contraceptive is harming your body,” concludes the doctor.

Source: Terra

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