Things you should know, questions you should ask.
Dr. Jennifer Ashton
5 Questions every woman should ask her doctor/health care provider about birth control:
Birth Control Education - It's YOUR Health and YOUR Life
Doctors and the nurses who work at clinic's such as Planned Parenthood or Student Health Services organizations have an obligation and responsibility to steer you in the right direction, but unfortunately some don't take the time to stay current on the research of birth control products they prescribe as they mature in the market. Worse yet, some still tend to put their guarded trust in the pharmaceutical sales reps even though they realize that products are almost always over-hyped and under-warned.
Some doctors, including some OB/GYN's tend to lump all hormonal based birth control products into one bucket. Don't leave your doctors office without understanding the differences - Risks, Benefits and Alternatives (See questions above). Make sure they explain the risk of blood clots with the 3rd and 4th generation combination hormonal birth control products such as the NuvaRing, Yaz and Ortho Evra. Each of these have a much higher risk of death associated with them.
5 Questions every woman should ask her doctor/health care provider about birth control:
- What are the risks (given in actual numbers) of this method and what is the worst thing that can happen to me on this particular type of BC?
- What are the benefits?
- What are some options/alternatives?
- Specifically, what is the risk of developing a blood clot on this particular form of BC and how does that compare to other forms?
- What other factors can increase the risk of a blood clot while I am taking this form of Birth Control?
Birth Control Education - It's YOUR Health and YOUR Life
Doctors and the nurses who work at clinic's such as Planned Parenthood or Student Health Services organizations have an obligation and responsibility to steer you in the right direction, but unfortunately some don't take the time to stay current on the research of birth control products they prescribe as they mature in the market. Worse yet, some still tend to put their guarded trust in the pharmaceutical sales reps even though they realize that products are almost always over-hyped and under-warned.
Some doctors, including some OB/GYN's tend to lump all hormonal based birth control products into one bucket. Don't leave your doctors office without understanding the differences - Risks, Benefits and Alternatives (See questions above). Make sure they explain the risk of blood clots with the 3rd and 4th generation combination hormonal birth control products such as the NuvaRing, Yaz and Ortho Evra. Each of these have a much higher risk of death associated with them.
We wish our daughter had been better informed before she died, so the following information is provided to help you educate yourself on the real world impacts of the hormonal based birth control products on the market.
Do not stop using your current birth control product prior to consulting your doctor. Remember......Be Safe - Be Informed - Be Protected
