A tragic case of a 16-year-old girl from the UK who died of a blood clot in her brain after taking a contraceptive pill has shocked the medical community and raised questions about the safety of oral contraceptives.
Layla Khan, a college student, started taking the pill on November 25 to ease her menstrual pain, following the advice of her friends. Within two weeks, she developed severe headaches and vomiting, which were initially dismissed as a stomach bug by her doctor.
However, her condition worsened and she collapsed in the bathroom after having trouble with her legs. She was rushed to the hospital, where a CT scan revealed a large blood clot in her brain. She underwent surgery on December 13, but it was too late to save her. She was declared brain-dead the next day.
Her devastated family donated her organs for transplant, which helped save five lives just before Christmas. They are now seeking answers from the medical authorities on why Layla's symptoms were not taken seriously and why she was not warned about the potential risks of taking the pill.
According to the NHS, the combined oral contraceptive pill, which contains synthetic versions of the hormones oestrogen and progestogen, can slightly increase the chance of developing blood clots. However, the risk is very low and depends on various factors, such as age, weight, smoking, and family history.
The NHS advises women who take the pill to be aware of the signs of a blood clot, such as severe or sudden chest pain, breathlessness, coughing up blood, severe headache, blurred vision, or leg pain or swelling. They also recommend regular check-ups with a doctor or nurse to monitor any changes in health or risk factors.
Layla's case is a rare and unfortunate one, but it serves as a reminder for women to be informed and vigilant about their health and the medications they take.
