Hormonal birth controlincreases the risk of blood clots in some people with a uterus.
Cris Cantan / Getty Images
What Is a Blood Clot?
Ablood clot, also known as a thrombus, is coagulated, or clotted, blood.
Cris Cantan / Getty Images
Blood clotting isn’t always a cause for concern.
These blood clots are considered an emergency and require immediate medical attention.
A blood clot in a leg vein can migrate to the lungs and cause PE.
Stroke can be another pop in of blood clot, and it affects the brain.
However, the risk of DVT or PE is overall very low with hormonal birth control.
Combination birth control pills contained a higher dose of estrogen in the past.
Now these pills contain a lower dose of estrogen, and the risk is reduced.
Thebirth control patchdelivers more estrogen than do low-dose birth control pills.
The lowest-risk hormonal options are progesterone-only forms of birth control, such as the hormonalIUD.
There are certain scenarios in which a blood clot will not cause any symptoms.
However, blood clots in major veins or arteries are almost always symptomatic, and require immediate medical attention.
Both DVT and PE are serious medical conditions and require immediate care.
Those containing estrogen are more likely to increase this risk.
Certain types of progestin like desogestrel and drospirenone can also increase your chances of developing blood clots.
If you ever experience symptoms of a blood clot, you should call your doctor to be evaluated.
Blood clots are treatable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, birth control and smoking can increase your risk for blood clots.
Nicotine, the main toxin found in cigarettes, is known to raise blood pressure and heart rate.
Most often, blood clots will start in the legs.
The chance of developing blood clots is greatest when you just started taking the pill.
This is usually within the first several months, though it could be within the first year.
The reason for this is because this is when your hormone levels will go through the biggest change.
Michigan Medicine.Hormonal birth control: Risk of blood clots.
2012 Aug 7;345:e4944.
doi:10.1136/bmj.e4944
Cleveland Clinic.Deep vein thrombosis.
