Thread: Factor V Leiden (FVL) & Birth Control Pill

[links not allowed] This link has a great chart showing the risks involved with factor 5 leiden. My twin sister had a major stroke at 52 and was then diagnosed with factor 5. At that time, I was tested for it and discovered that I, too, have it. Two weeks ago, my daughter (26) developed a large blood clod after taking the birth control pill for only 6 weeks. She is being tested now, but we are assuming she also has the disorder. I would recommend not taking any birth control pills at all.

Risks of developing DVT or PE:
Group of women Relative risk
(compared to women who do not take oral contraceptives)
Absolute risk:
women who develop a DVT or PE per year (= incidence) (= incidence)

All women of reproductive age 1 out of 12,5000
All women on oral contraceptives 2-6 fold increased 1 out of 3,500
Women with heterozygous prothrombin 20210 mutation
on oral contraceptives
16 fold increased 1 out of 800
Women with heterozygous factor V Leiden on oral contraceptives 20-30 fold increased 1 out of 500
Women with homozygous factor V Leiden on oral contraceptives 50-100 fold increased 1 out of 150

Factor V Leiden increases your chances for blood clots. So does birth control. So get off those pills girl! There are things you can do, like taking an asprin a day, to help get your blood thinner. But you need to talk to your doctor to find out if that would help or if it's even needed. My husband was diagnosed with this 5 years ago (with APS and a PFO) after having a stroke at 32 years old. There are simple things that you can do to avoid stroke like not using bc and eating healthy.

Take care of yourself.