Allergic Reactions to Oral Contraception
Most people associate allergies and allergic reactions with everything from mold spores to bug bites to food products. However, medications can also cause dangerous allergic reactions in your body. Women who take oral contraceptives are at risk of suffering adverse reactions to their birth control pills just as they are at risk for other negative side effects such as heart attack and stroke.
First, it is important to understand why allergic reactions happen at all. Your body's immune system consists of many different types of cells that identify and attack potentially harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses. Normally, this protects you from illnesses caused by these pathogens.
Sometimes, though, your immune system can misidentify a harmless substance as a dangerous invader. The immune system cells then attack the substance, which is what causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction. This overreaction can range from simply irritating, such as allergies to hay or cedar, to life-threatening conditions called anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock.
Of course, it is tempting to believe that you will not have an allergic reaction to oral contraceptives since they are based on actual human hormones. However, the hormones made for birth control pills are typically synthetic forms. Occasionally this is enough of a difference for your immune system to believe that the hormones in oral contraception are harmful.
Initial signs of an allergic reaction are typically seen on the skin. Your skin may redden and develop itchy bumps or welts. Also, parts of your face may swell, such as your lips and tongue. Sometimes this swelling can extend into your airways, impeding your ability to breathe. You may feel like your chest is tight or that you cannot take a deep breath.
If you develop anaphylactic shock, your airways can completely close. You can start wheezing in just a few minutes or even seconds, leading to faintness and dizziness. In some cases, you may lose consciousness completely. It is important to go to the hospital immediately if you develop anaphylaxis.
Unfortunately, allergic reaction is not the only thing that you must worry about while taking oral contraception. Some birth control pills, such as YAZ, Yasmin, and Ocella, have been linked with other potentially life-threatening problems like blood clots and pulmonary embolism. If you have suffered after taking YAZ, Yasmin, or Ocella, please contact a knowledgeable YAZ attorney from Williams Kherkher today.
First, it is important to understand why allergic reactions happen at all. Your body's immune system consists of many different types of cells that identify and attack potentially harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses. Normally, this protects you from illnesses caused by these pathogens.
Sometimes, though, your immune system can misidentify a harmless substance as a dangerous invader. The immune system cells then attack the substance, which is what causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction. This overreaction can range from simply irritating, such as allergies to hay or cedar, to life-threatening conditions called anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock.
Of course, it is tempting to believe that you will not have an allergic reaction to oral contraceptives since they are based on actual human hormones. However, the hormones made for birth control pills are typically synthetic forms. Occasionally this is enough of a difference for your immune system to believe that the hormones in oral contraception are harmful.
Initial signs of an allergic reaction are typically seen on the skin. Your skin may redden and develop itchy bumps or welts. Also, parts of your face may swell, such as your lips and tongue. Sometimes this swelling can extend into your airways, impeding your ability to breathe. You may feel like your chest is tight or that you cannot take a deep breath.
If you develop anaphylactic shock, your airways can completely close. You can start wheezing in just a few minutes or even seconds, leading to faintness and dizziness. In some cases, you may lose consciousness completely. It is important to go to the hospital immediately if you develop anaphylaxis.
Unfortunately, allergic reaction is not the only thing that you must worry about while taking oral contraception. Some birth control pills, such as YAZ, Yasmin, and Ocella, have been linked with other potentially life-threatening problems like blood clots and pulmonary embolism. If you have suffered after taking YAZ, Yasmin, or Ocella, please contact a knowledgeable YAZ attorney from Williams Kherkher today.
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