Can birth control pills cause high platelet count?

Ah, birth control pills! Women’s best friends since forever (well, maybe not 100% accurate, but you get the point). They’ve been used to prevent pregnancy for ages with the added bonus of relieving symptoms such as mood swings and cramps. But like any other medication out there, they too come intricately packed with side effects that might raise suspicion among women who take them. One particular effect is a high platelet count (aka thrombocytosis) which has caused quite a stir in conversation rooms on the internet.

Now before we dive into it head-first let’s set some preliminary ground rules – stop worrying because your chance of experiencing this side-effect is very low; however, that doesn’t mean we should overlook it completely. So read on and enlighten yourself about something new!

What are Birth Control Pills?

In case you have just fallen from Mars onto this planet or were raised by aliens, birth control pills are medications taken orally every day to prevent pregnancies among sexually active women. These contain hormones like estrogen and progestin which work together to stop ovulation- when ovaries release eggs into fallopian tubes.

Women usually take one pill daily at the same time until their desired duration agreed upon with their doctor elapses.

Types of Birth Control Pills

Not all birth controls fit all scenarios as people react differently due to varying body chemistry levels among individuals. There are two common types namely:

1) Combination birth control: Contains both estrogen and progestin
2) Progestin-only birth control: Contains no estrogen

Have you heard enough facts? Aow Keep reading because I think I found an answer!

Let’s Talk About Platelets

Platelets aka “thrombocytes” assist in clotting blood after cuts or bruises occur somewhere in our bodies so bleeding can cease within seconds. A regular platelet count is between 150,000 to 400,000 per microliter of blood. If the number increases beyond then we’re in trouble since it could lead to blood clots that initiate severe medical disorders such as stroke or heart attack.

What Do Platelets Have To do With Birth Control Pills?

Recent research has shown a correlation between hormonal contraceptives and thrombocytosis. Birth control pills that contain estrogen have been found to cause an increased production of erythropoietin – the hormone responsible for stimulating bone marrow – leading to enhanced production of blood cells, including platelets.

This process takes time but typically occurs within six months for most women starting birth control. Hormonal birth controls with less estrogen (such as Progestin-only types) don’t result in this effect statistically.

One thing though, while higher counts can be a concern if they go untreated; in many cases they go undetected without any imminent danger being posed whatsoever. So should you panic? Hell no!

Symptoms

There are usually none. That’s right ladies! No classical symptoms present themselves elusively when one experiences high platelet counts such as bruise marks or cuts homeostasis disruption due to spontaneous clotting going on inside our veins- never assume you’ve got them just because you “feel like” hahahaha. But I’ll say it again – any change from your usual monthly cycle requires a professional’s opinion pronto ™

Now sit back down and relax because we aren’t trying to scare anyone here –

Is Thrombocytosis Fatal?

Well well well…hold up now just one second cowboy keto- sorry we ain’t all cowboys around here forgive me V.V

In its early stages asymptomatic thrombocytosis manifests itself without causing harm however advanced stages exhibit life-threatening consequences where fatal episodes occur at unimaginable proportions.

I know you’re probably thinking of running to the nearest High-School Biology desk asking them if they tricked you with their sweet accurate PowerPoint presentations; but I repeat: this only happens in rare cases where counts increase dangerously high, and patients don’t receive any treatment. So unless your gut screams at you (which it shouldn’t because by now I’ve calmed you) find a hobby or something else less harmful than perennial heart-attacks from reading solid research.

Treatment

Worry not cupcake, there are simple solutions for our worrying thrombocytosis sound stricken pals should visit their doctors soon after discovering an increased platelet count confirmed through blood tests.

Low-Dose Aspirin

Low-dose aspirin thins blood helping to reduce blockages which ought to come as good news. However some people may have issues related to stomach ulcers when taking this so please double-check with your GP beforehand!

Hydroxyurea/Anagrelide Chemotherapy Medications

Patients experiencing extreme erythrocytosis require stronger medicines like hydroxyurea and Anagrelide which suppress bone marrow cells responsible for producing affected RBCs and platelets.

The medication will work in about 10% – 30% of cases depending on the severity level of thrombocythenia its progression over time-and ultimately the dosage amount agreed upon between yourself and physician attending; however there’s no straightforward win-win solution as every drug has side-effects rendering it more complex beyond just swallowing pills regularly.

Conclusion – What Should You Do Next?

In conclusion then, birth control pills can cause a high platelet count (thrombocytosis) in certain instances associated with estrogen-contingent contraceptives out thereupon initial usage often confirmed through blood tests taken routinely checking patient health status undoubtedly reliving most ladies’ worries- Thank God.

We hope we helped clarify worries and calm nerves down there especially since it never hurts to stay informed about one’s physical health in this ever-changing world. If you’ve been on these pills for a while now maybe get yourself checked out as anything unusual can raise warning flags so don’t brush it off thinking “it’ll cure itself” because that (my dear friends) is what immature organisms would do.

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