Woman Nearly Dies Mid-Flight: The Hidden Danger of Flying on Birth Control
For decades, estrogen-containing birth control has been a go-to option for millions of women. It’s convenient, effective, and offers benefits beyond pregnancy prevention, such as lighter periods, reduced acne, and protection against certain cancers. But like any medication, hormonal birth control comes with risks. One of the most serious? Blood clots.
A young woman on social media has shared her near death experience of almost dying from a blood clot to her lungs on a flight from Toronto to Dubai. The terrifying ordeal was brought on by the combination of increased risk due to birth control pills, a long flight, and not moving around enough during the flight. A combination that could be common for many young women.
What Have You Heard?
Most people have heard the warnings—maybe from a doctor, a friend, or even the fine print on a pill pack. But how big is the risk? Who’s most at risk? And how does estrogen play a role in all of this? Let’s break it down.
What Are Blood Clots?
A blood clot is a clump of blood that has turned from a liquid to a gel-like state. This process is a normal and necessary function of the body—it’s what stops a cut from bleeding endlessly. However, when a clot forms inside a vein or artery without an injury to trigger it, it can be dangerous.
Different Types of Clots
Clots that develop in deep veins, typically in the legs, are known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If a DVT dislodges and travels to the lungs, it becomes a pulmonary embolism (PE)—a life-threatening emergency that can block blood flow and cause serious damage or death. Together, DVT and PE are known as venous thromboembolism (VTE).
This is the type of clot that this young woman developed in her lungs. She was wearing compression socks, which she thought would suffice to avoid a blood clot while flying. But she did not get up and walk around for many hours – which was the major mistake she made. The combination of increased risk from birth control pills and a long flight were life threatening. You can listen to her full story here.
How Does Estrogen in Birth Control Increase Clot Risk?
Estrogen influences many functions in the body, and one of its effects is an increased tendency for blood to clot. Birth control pills, patches, and rings that contain estrogen raise the levels of certain clotting factors in the blood while also decreasing natural anticoagulants (blood-thinning agents). The result? A greater chance of unwanted clot formation.
What The Studies Say
Studies have shown that women who take combination birth control (which contains both estrogen and progestin) have about three to four times the risk of developing a blood clot compared to those who don’t use hormonal contraception. However, it’s important to put that into perspective: the absolute risk remains relatively low for most healthy women.
Who’s at the Highest Risk?
While estrogen-containing birth control increases the risk of blood clots, not every user faces the same level of danger. Several factors can make the risk much higher:
- A history of blood clots – If you’ve had a blood clot before, your risk of another is significantly higher.
- Genetic clotting disorders – Conditions like Factor V Leiden mutation or prothrombin gene mutationincrease clot risk.
- Smoking – The combination of smoking and estrogen raises clot risk dramatically, especially in women over 35.
- Obesity – Excess weight can contribute to clot formation, especially in combination with hormonal birth control.
- Prolonged immobility – Long periods of sitting or lying down (like during a long-haul flight or bed rest after surgery) can slow circulation and lead to clot formation.
- Recent surgery or injury – These conditions make the body more prone to clotting as part of the healing process.
- Pregnancy and postpartum – While not related to birth control, it’s worth noting that pregnancy increases the risk of blood clots even more than birth control does.
Birth Control Options With the Highest and Lowest Clot Risk
Not all estrogen-containing birth control carries the same level of risk. Here’s a breakdown:
Higher Risk:
- Birth control patches (like Xulane)
- Birth control rings (like NuvaRing)
- Pills with newer progestins (such as drospirenone, found in Yaz and Yasmin)
Lower Risk:
- Older birth control pills with lower estrogen doses
- Progestin-only options (like the mini-pill, hormonal IUDs, and the Depo-Provera shot)
- Copper IUD (which contains no hormones)
The patch and ring are associated with a higher risk than birth control pills because they deliver estrogen in a continuous manner, leading to higher overall levels in the bloodstream.
Symptoms of a Blood Clot to Watch For
If you take birth control that contains estrogen, it’s important to be aware of clot symptoms. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Swelling, pain, warmth, or redness in one leg (possible DVT)
- Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, or coughing up blood (possible PE)
- Severe headaches, vision changes, or difficulty speaking (possible stroke, which can also be caused by a clot)
Should You Be Worried?
For most healthy women without risk factors, the chance of developing a blood clot from birth control is small. To put it in numbers:
- The general risk of VTE in young, healthy women is about 1 to 5 in 10,000 per year.
- With combination birth control, that risk rises to 3 to 9 in 10,000 per year.
- During pregnancy, the risk jumps even higher—about 5 to 20 in 10,000 per year.
While the increased risk is real, it’s still far lower than the risk of blood clots during pregnancy. This is why doctors often reassure women that the risk is manageable, as long as they don’t have major risk factors.
Making the Right Choice for You
If you’re concerned about blood clot risk but still want reliable birth control, talk to your doctor about safer options. Progestin-only birth control (like the hormonal IUD, implant, or mini-pill) can provide effective pregnancy prevention without the added clotting risk of estrogen.
Some women may prefer the copper IUD, which is completely hormone-free but still highly effective. Others might opt for a lower-estrogen birth control pill rather than the patch or ring.
If you do choose estrogen-containing birth control, there are ways to minimize clot risk:
- Avoid smoking, especially if you’re over 35.
- Maintain a healthy weight to lower your risk of developing clots.
- Stay active and avoid long periods of immobility, particularly on long flights or after surgery.
- Know your family history – if blood clots run in your family, ask your doctor about screening for clotting disorders.
Final Thoughts
Estrogen-containing birth control has been used safely by millions of women, but the risk of blood clots is something to take seriously. If you’re young, healthy, and don’t smoke, your risk is low. However, if you have risk factors, it’s worth exploring other options.
The key takeaway? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Birth control is personal, and what works for one person may not be right for another. By staying informed and discussing concerns with a healthcare provider, you can make the best choice for your body and health.
The Hidden Risks: 20-plus Foods and Supplements That Threaten Birth Control Safety
Certain foods, herbs, and supplements can potentially make your birth control less effective. We take birth control to prevent pregnancy, so if something compromises the efficacy, we should be well aware and act appropriately. Unfortunately, many of our medical professionals do not provide this education. Here is a detailed list of these items.
READ: The Hidden Risks: 20-plus Foods and Supplements That Threaten Birth Control Safety
Join Us
Join us on this empowering journey as we explore, celebrate, and elevate “her story.” The Queen Zone is not just a platform; it’s a community where women from all walks of life can come together, share their experiences, and inspire one another. Welcome to a space where the female experience takes center stage. Sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss a thing, Queen!
