By Tee Tyson
In this day and age, most of us would rather have a baby growing in our bellies than a blood clot travelling through our body en route to our left lung or brain. Since it isn’t 1906, the likelihood of dying during birthing a child is slim to none. I mean, that’s if you’re in the First World, like I am. It happens from time-to-time, but there are a lot of women out there bringing babies into this world. The thing about a blood clot, it strikes at odd times, and there’s a higher risk of the damage being done before a doctor realizes what the problem is.
How do babies and blood clots tie together?
Birth control.
Millions of women are on those magic pills that prevent unwanted pregnancies. Or at least keep them to a minimum. Imagine the horror Canadian women on Yaz and Yasmin felt when the story broke about the 23 deaths caused by this product. Sure, those deaths occurred from 2007-2013. Six years. Like any new drug or medicine there is a certain amount of trial and error, and drug companies might think this number isn’t all that high. But twenty three is uncomfortably high if you’re popping this little pill every day, especially when you get to wondering how many deaths might have occurred that weren’t reported, brushed aside, swept away.
What if doctors are missing the link?
And with 600 reported adverse reactions to Yaz and Yasmin recorded it leads me to believe this is a problem. Of course, Bayer is standing behind its product and apparently patient safety comes first with them, but I have my suspicions. I know how these massive drug conglomerates work. Loss of human life is expected. It’s accepted. Unfortunately, when it comes to me and my bleeding heart, it isn’t acceptable. There is no wiggle room.
And then I got lost on the comments of that article, reading all the women who were stepping forward with horror stories of their own. From intense abdominal pain to the inability to breathe, these women were left unable to walk or move. This is not normal.
Don’t misconstrue this as me telling you to stop taking your birth control.
Like everything in this life there is always a warning label. There are risks. These instances with Yaz and Yasmin fit in with the warning statistics, but I don’t like how detached that sounds. Don’t become a statistic. Which leads me into the real issue here – ignoring your body.
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve seen women (and men) refusing to take care of themselves. Severe headaches, abscessed teeth, a weird lump on your body, a strange mole or an intense sadness you cannot shake. How many people procrastinate and push appointments off?
For some strange and inexplicable reason, we think we always have tomorrow. And we don’t.
Today is the day to get things checked out. Don’t be embarrassed. Don’t be shy. Be aware of what you’re putting into your body and how your goods look. Do your research before taking anything. Google it. Ask questions. And if your doctor is resistant, rushing you, not giving you the attention or answers you desire, get a second opinion. Don’t be pushed around.
We are talking about your life.
In the battle of Babies vs Blood Clots. Babies one. Blood clots none.
And for some reason, I feel the need to reiterate that birth control does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Not sure why. But I’m ending it on that note. If it burns when you pee, go to the doctor. Alright, I’m out of here.
Furious 