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Sarah CobbBritish woman who fell victim to third-generation oral contraceptives
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- Sarah Cobb: Life and Loss
- Meeting and Marriage Plans
- Mysterious Leg Pain
- A Devastating Diagnosis
- The Risk of Third-Generation Contraceptive Pills
- A Preventable Tragedy
- Grieving and Legacy
- Medical Recommendations
Sarah Cobb: Life and Loss
Sarah Cobb, a 27-year-old teacher, was tragically taken by a pulmonary embolism eight months before her wedding to Phil Kemp.
Meeting and Marriage Plans
Kemp and Cobb met in 2006 at the University of Hertfordshire. After graduating, Kemp moved in with Cobb in Langdon Hills, Essex, in 2011. They both taught at a local primary school and enjoyed an active lifestyle. Kemp proposed to Cobb during a bike ride in April 2013.
Mysterious Leg Pain
In October 2013, Cobb began complaining of pain in her right leg. Initially thought to be a muscle strain, the pain intensified. Cobb struggled to walk and suffered from shortness of breath.
A Devastating Diagnosis
Despite emergency medical attention, Cobb passed away in February 2014. An autopsy revealed that her death was caused by a pulmonary embolism, likely caused by the third-generation contraceptive pills she had been taking for over ten years.
The Risk of Third-Generation Contraceptive Pills
Cobb had started taking the pills at the age of 16 to improve her skin condition. An estimated 3.5 million women in the UK take these pills, which are known as the "third generation." Developed in the 1980s, they were marketed as having fewer side effects than earlier versions.
Research by the University of Nottingham, published in 2015, found that third-generation contraceptives, such as Yasmin, Marvelon, and Femodene, increase the risk of blood clots fourfold. The heightened risk is attributed to the presence of progestins, synthetic forms of the hormone progesterone.
A Preventable Tragedy
According to Dr. Charles McCollum, a vascular surgeon, third-generation pills should not be the first choice for women. They should be prescribed by a specialist if they are deemed safer than second-generation pills for a particular individual.
Kemp insists that Cobb had no risk factors for blood clots. She was healthy and had no family history of the condition.
Grieving and Legacy
Devastated by Cobb's loss, Kemp has channeled his grief into volunteering for the charity At A Loss, supporting others who have experienced a sudden loss. He believes that Cobb would be proud of his efforts to help others cope with the loss of loved ones at a young age.
Medical Recommendations
Doctors urge women to consult with their GPs or gynecologists annually to discuss the appropriateness of continuing with current or changing generations of oral contraceptives.
