Finally -- A Move to Eliminate Birth Control Pills

The consumer group Public Citizen has petitioned the FDA to ban oral contraceptives that contain the synthetic hormone desogestrel.

Studies suggest that these birth control pills nearly double the risk of potentially fatal blood clots compared with other such pills, without providing improved protection against pregnancy.

Approximately 7.5 million prescriptions for desogestrel-containing oral contraceptives were filled in the United States in 2006.

Pills containing desogestrel may cause 30 cases of blood clots for every 100,000 users a year; other birth control pills only cause 15 cases per 100,000 users. At 7.5 million prescriptions, that means over 1,000 women are unnecessarily being placed at risk each year.

Manufacturers of desogestrel-containing pills have stated that the increased risk of blood clots is listed on the label. However, this warning is in "barely perceptible 4-point type," according to Public Citizen.

Public Citizen February 6, 2007

USA Today February 6, 2007

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Dr. Mercola's Comment:

A patch isn't the only form of birth control that elevates a woman's risk of deadly blood clots. Third-generation oral contraceptives containing the synthetic progesterone hormone desogestrel are just as dangerous.

But even older birth control pills will elevate your risk of blood clots, just not quite as much as the variety that contains desogestrel. As far as I understand health, there simply is never a reason to take birth control pills. There are many natural and effective alternatives. Admittedly, they may not be as convenient, but they are far safer options.

Most drugs do have some legitimate purpose on occasion and do provide some benefit; but this just isn't the case for birth control pills. I really don't believe that there is ever any clinical indication to use them.

Typically, there are always safer options when it comes to birth control pills.

Oral contraceptives are SYNTHETIC hormones that the body is not designed to process. Long-term use will invariably increase the user's risk of developing serious chronic illness.

It is also important to remember that birth control pills can deplete the following nutrients:

Vitamin B2
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12
Folic Acid
Vitamin C
Magnesium
Zinc
Women don't need a patch, pill or implantable rod, as there are plenty of safer, more natural birth control alternatives available that are just as effective.

On Vital Votes, Lifestyle and Nutrition Coach Josh Rubin from San Marcos, California adds:

"There are many problems with the pill in my opinion. For one, it is synthetic. It is made in a lab and does not match the human genetic make up. This is a huge stress to the body and can cause GI problems, many physiological imbalances and hormonal issues.

"Secondly, the pill is not linear. As you take it in, it creates chaos in the rest of the body. Thirdly, it creates other symptoms and dysfunctions. And lastly it is used today for so many other things by MD's such as mood, eliminating acne and so forth.

"There are options for not getting pregnant. There are condoms, what I call 'outside sex,' or just being safe if you are not using a condom. I have worked with so many young women, as young as 21 that have severe mental, emotional, and physiological problems secondary to the pill. I can say this for one because they sit in front on me and I assess them, their life etc and all problems stem back to the pill.

"Secondly, I do hormonal testing and the most common thing I see is very, I mean very low levels of progesterone (estrogen dominance) and adrenal issues, leading to thyroid issues.

"If you are on the pill, consult with your MD to get info to get off. Get with a practitioner that does functional lab testing to get readings of your hormones, then get on bio-identical hormones to balance them out. It typically takes 6-12 months, but in the end, I see all symptoms that women get with PMS gone, a happier and more vital person, and I test with this another lab retest.

"Go search the side effects of the pill online, it is quite scary!"