Hormonal Versus Non-Hormonal Contraception

Get the facts.
Hormones spelled in tiles with flower petals

According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, women who use combined hormonal contraceptives have up to a nine-fold increased risk for blood clots compared to women who do not use hormonal birth control.1

Genetic Clotting Disorders Increase Clotting Risk

The risk for dangerous blood clots is 35 times greater among women who use hormonal contraception and who also are affected by the genetic clotting disorder known as factor V Leiden. Factor V Leiden is the most common genetic clotting disorder in the United States.5

Woman looking over top of glasses
HORMONAL CONTRACEPTION: OTHER CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, combined hormonal contraception should not be prescribed to women who are affected by any of the following conditions:

  • Breast cancer or a personal history of breast cancer
  • Uterine cancer or other estrogen-dependent tissue changes or growths
  • Cerebral or brain blood vessel disease or coronary artery disease
  • Combination of smoking and age older than 35 years
  • Diabetes with complications
  • Benign or cancerous liver tumors; liver disease with abnormal liver function

  • Hypersensitivity to any component in oral contraceptive pills
  • Major surgery with prolonged immobilization
  • Pregnancy
  • Severe hypertension
  • Stroke
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus with antiphospholiipid antibodies

  • Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding
  • Heart valve disease with complications

  • Personal or family history of blood clotting