Even young women can be affected by deadly clots. In some instances, a blood clot can break off and travel to the lungs. This is known as a pulmonary embolism, and it can be fatal.
The best way to avoid a pulmonary embolism is by preventing the formation clots. This can be achieved by avoiding those activities that contribute to clot. And you won’t believe the list of offenders. Check out these five habits that could be putting you at an increased risk for a clot.
Taking an Oral Contraceptive and Smoking
It’s a double-edged sword, taking the pill. On the one hand, you are being responsible by not accidentally bringing a new life into the world. On the other hand, you might be endangering your own life. Especially for women past the age of 35 who also smoke.
Smoking reduces the efficacy of your circulation system, resulting in symptoms like cold hands and feet. Decreased circulation adds to the likelihood that your blood will pool, usually in the legs because your body can’t move it back up toward your heart so quickly. When you combine this problem with taking an oral contraceptive and being over 35, you need to do a cost/benefits analysis.
Because quitting smoking can be difficult, smokers are encouraged to switch to an alternate form of birth control, condoms being the obvious choice. There are also low-dose estrogen pills that your gynecologist can prescribe. These are called the “minipill” and contain only progestin. Bear in mind that the minipill has only half the ingredients that a standard oral contraceptive does, and so your risk for pregnancy significantly increases.