Commonly used hormonal contraceptives and associated VTE risk
| Hormonal contraceptive type . | VTE risk (RR, 95% CI), compared with nonusers . | Reference . |
|---|---|---|
| Does not increase VTE risk | ||
| Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device | 0.6 (0.2-1.5) | 30 |
| Low-dose progestin pill | 0.9 (0.6-1.5) | 30 |
| Uncertain VTE risk | ||
| Etongestrel birth control implant | 1.4 (0.6-3.4) | 31 |
| Increases VTE risk | ||
| Combined oral contraceptives | ||
| Ethinylestradiol (30-40 µg)/ levonorgestrel | 2.9 (2.2-3.8) | 32 |
| Ethinylestradiol (30-40 µg) desogestrel | 6.6 (5.6-7.8) | 32 |
| Ethinylestradiol (30-40 µg)/ drospirenone | 6.4 (5.4-7.5) | 32 |
| Combined contraceptive vaginal ring | 6.5 (4.7 to 8.9) | 31 |
| Progestin-only preparations | ||
| Progestin-only injections (DMPA) | 2.7 (1.3-5.5) | 30 |
| High-dose progestin pillsa | 5.9 (1.2-30.1) | 33 |
| Hormonal contraceptive type . | VTE risk (RR, 95% CI), compared with nonusers . | Reference . |
|---|---|---|
| Does not increase VTE risk | ||
| Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device | 0.6 (0.2-1.5) | 30 |
| Low-dose progestin pill | 0.9 (0.6-1.5) | 30 |
| Uncertain VTE risk | ||
| Etongestrel birth control implant | 1.4 (0.6-3.4) | 31 |
| Increases VTE risk | ||
| Combined oral contraceptives | ||
| Ethinylestradiol (30-40 µg)/ levonorgestrel | 2.9 (2.2-3.8) | 32 |
| Ethinylestradiol (30-40 µg) desogestrel | 6.6 (5.6-7.8) | 32 |
| Ethinylestradiol (30-40 µg)/ drospirenone | 6.4 (5.4-7.5) | 32 |
| Combined contraceptive vaginal ring | 6.5 (4.7 to 8.9) | 31 |
| Progestin-only preparations | ||
| Progestin-only injections (DMPA) | 2.7 (1.3-5.5) | 30 |
| High-dose progestin pillsa | 5.9 (1.2-30.1) | 33 |
Are typically used for gynecological indications other than contraception.
DMPA, depot medroxyprogesterone acetate; RR, risk ratio.
Adapted with permission from Bistervels1 and LaVasseur.34