I’m a doctor. This is why women who use birth control MUST stretch their legs during a long-haul flight
A doctor has issued a warning to travelers who use contraception and plan to fly long distances.
According to Dr. Unnati Desai, those who use birth control pills are at greater risk of developing a blood clot if they do not exercise for an extended period of time.
Dr. Desai urged those taking birth control pills to “stay mobile” during a long plane trip to avoid potentially life-threatening blood clots.
The medical director of Skinfluencer London explained that the most common in-flight risk for those using combined hormonal contraceptives, which contain both estrogen and progesterone, is a blood clot in venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) . ).
A doctor has explained that it is important for those using contraception to ‘stay mobile’ during flights to avoid potentially life-threatening blood clots
In deep vein thrombosis, Dr. Desai said, a clot forms in the deep veins of the leg, while in a pulmonary embolism, a small piece of a clot from elsewhere in the body gets stuck in the veins of the lungs.
These can be life-threatening and must be treated immediately.
Dr. Desai explained to MailOnline that the risk of a VTE is small, with it occurring in five to 12 in 10,000 healthy women per year who use a combined hormonal contraceptive, compared to two per 10,000 women per year who do not use a combined hormonal contraceptive.
However, she explained that the risk of a VTE increases during long-haul flights.
The doctor explained: ‘The estimated risk of a VTE on a long-haul flight is one case per 106,667 flights of less than four hours, one case per 4,656 flights of more than four hours and one case per 1,264 flights of more than 16 hours. o’clock.’
Dr. Desai claimed that the risk of VTE is even higher for pregnant women, compared to women taking birth control pills.
Echoing Dr Desai’s claims, resident physician Simi (@simisolaoa) explained in a viral TikTok video: ‘If you are taking a contraceptive pill, especially the combination pill, which contains estrogen and progesterone, there is a small risk that you can develop a DVT. .’
According to Dr. Unnati Desai, those who use birth control pills are at greater risk of developing a blood clot if they do not exercise for an extended period of time.
Speaking to her 3,000 followers, she added: ‘Another risk factor for developing a blood clot is taking a long-haul flight and being pregnant.’
According to Dr. Desai, telltale signs of DVT include swelling of the calf, pain in the midline of the calf, redness and discomfort.
She added: ‘Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, increased heart rate or palpitations, sharp chest pain or pain behind the breastbone.’
Symptoms can also include coughing up blood and feeling dizzy or light-headed, Dr. Desai revealed.
To minimize the risk, Dr Desai recommended staying mobile during flights by walking regularly and ‘moving the ankles up and down to activate the calf muscles’.
She added: ‘Wear graduated compression stockings during the flight. They have higher pressure around the ankle, which gradually decreases towards the knee to stimulate blood flow in the deep veins of the leg towards the heart.’
Finally, she recommended staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol and caffeine.