Newer contraceptive pill ‘ups clot risk’

WOMEN using newer versions of the contraceptive pill are at greater risk of developing potentially serious blood clots, according to two separate studies.

Researchers found a two-fold increased risk of a blood clot with pills containing drospirenone — a synthetic hormone — compared to the older levonorgestrel tablets.

A second comparison study using data from a general practice database in Britain, found a threefold increase of venous thromboembolism that can be fatal if the clots lodge in the lungs.