Does the third generation combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP) cause venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) more often than other generations of oral contraceptive pills?
Reports of an increased VTE risk with formulations containing third generation progestin preparations appear to have resulted from a tendency to start individuals “at risk” for VTE on these formulations (since they had been promoted as carrying a lower risk for VTE). New starters include the as-yet undiagnosed population of individuals with an inherited tendency to VTE whereas those who have successfully used the combined OCP for several years without a thrombotic problem tend not to subsequently develop VTE. Accordingly VTE complications will be higher in new users (often started on third generation combined OCPs) than in past users as the individuals with an increased genetic susceptibility to VTE reveal themselves. This early increased risk occurs regardless of the combined OCP formulation used. For women not at increased risk of VTE, the low risk of VTE due to pill use should not deter pill use if there are valid reasons to consider it either for its contraceptive or non-contracept
Related Questions
- Does the third generation combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP) cause venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) more often than other generations of oral contraceptive pills?
- Who is at risk for venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) on the combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP)?
- Does the combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP) cause venous thrombo-embolism (VTE)?
