Birth Control Pill, Gene Defect Tied To Clot Risk

Birth Control Pill, Gene Defect Tied To Clot Risk

New England Journal of Medicine, June 18,1998;338:1793-1797, 1840-1841.

Two gene mutations — including one found in up to 15% of whites — and oral contraceptive use are linked to an increased risk of cerebral-vein thrombosis, a potentially fatal disorder caused by clotting in the brain’s venous system. Women with one of the gene mutations who also take oral contraceptives have a risk of cerebral-vein thrombosis nearly 150 times that of the general population.

Certain non-genetic factors, including smoking and the use of oral contraceptives, have also been linked to an increased risk for thromboembolism (clotting) in various sites, including the legs, brain, retina, and liver. The Italian researchers found that 20% of the patients with cerebral-vein thrombosis and 3% of the controls carried the prothrombin-gene mutation. Likewise, 15% of cerebral-vein thrombosis patients carried the factor V mutation, compared with just 3% of controls.

The investigators also discovered that the most prevalent non-genetic risk factor for (cerebral-vein thrombosis) was oral contraceptive use,”which raised a woman’s risk for the illness to 22 times that of nonusers.” The researchers point out that 96% of women suffering from cerebral-vein thrombosis were using the Pill at the time of their illness, compared with just 32% of controls. Finally, they found that in women who were taking oral contraceptives and also had the prothrombin-gene mutation, risk for cerebral vein thrombosis increased to nearly 150 times that of other women.

Our Comment:

It is not practical to be screened for this genetic mutation, since up to 90% of the cause of most ill health is due to dietary and environmental factors – not gene mutations. In addition, gene mutations do not have to be permanent. Using sound nutrition and health practices, the body may be able to self-heal some gene mutations. Excellent proven DNA repair substances can be used, including medicinal mushrooms (such as reishi), pine bark, CoQ-10, etc.

Birth control pills have been found to increase the risk of blood clots (as this study shows), liver and gallbladder disease, stroke, cancer and they cause depletion of many essential nutrients. It would seem wise for all women to avoid taking oral contraceptives.

If the menstrual period needs to be better regulated or endometriosis is present, the therapy of choice is the use of natural hormones (such as natural progesterone) – not birth control pills. Natural progesterone is much more effective, very safe and virtually without side effects. (See Dr. John Lee’s books.) If pregnancy needs to be avoided, there are much safer methods than using birth control pills. (See article on the Ovu-Tech.)