Hormonal birth control affects every organ in your body. The most dangerous affects are blood clots that lead to stroke, pulmonary embolism or death.
Do you know the signs and symptoms?
Unfortunately, some of the symptoms seem so vague or minimal that you could have a serious outcome before you know what happened to your body. Listen to the stories in the videos below.
Dr. Jennifer Aston discussing the risks of the different combination hormonal birth control – click HERE
The stories from young women:
We have a link HERE to stories from women who had either a DVT or a Pulmonary Embolism. Read their stories as you will see that you really need to advocate for yourself, even with your own doctor or the ER if you suspect you have a blood clot.
An easy way to remember the signs and symptoms is with the word ACHES.
A C H E S (Thanks to Dr. Robert Hatcher)
A (Abdominal pain)
Vein Thrombosis in intestines: Abdominal pain, vomiting, weakness
Pelvic Vein Thrombosis: Lower abdominal pain, cramps
C (Chest pain)
Pulmonary embolism in lung: Sudden shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, unexplained cough (sometimes bloody mucus), chest pain, shoulder pain, sweating
Heart attack: Chest heaviness or chest pain, left arm and shoulder pain, shortness of breath, nausea, weakness
H (Headaches)
Stroke in Brain: Headache, weakness or numbness, visual problems, difficulty speaking, sudden intellectual impairment
E (Eye Problems)
Retinal vein thrombosis in eye: Complete or partial loss of vision, headache
S (Sore leg or calf ache/pain)
Deep vein thrombosis in leg: Swelling, tenderness, heat or redness in arm, thigh or lower leg; calf ache/pain
You can download a copy of the A C H E S symptom list click here: A C H E S
Birth Control Wisdom 