College is a time for independence, new experiences, and important decisions, including those related to health. For young women, these choices often involve contraception, travel, and lifestyle changes that can impact the risk for blood clots. Though blood clots are uncommon in young adults, they can be serious and even life-threatening. As students return to campus, now is an ideal time to raise awareness about clotting risks and encourage young women to take charge of their health.
Contraceptive Choices: What Students Should Know
For many college students, beginning or continuing hormonal contraception is part of the back-to-campus routine. But not all contraceptives carry the same clotting risk.
- Estrogen-containing methods (combined hormonal pills, patches, rings) are linked to a two to nine times higher risk for blood clots compared to non-users.
- For women with inherited clotting conditions like factor V Leiden, the risk is even greater.
- Safer options include progestin-only pills, implants, or IUDs, which have a much lower clotting risk (ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 206, 2019).
Student health providers should ask about family history of blood clots before prescribing, and students should feel comfortable bringing it up.
Travel and Study Abroad
College often involves travel — whether it’s studying abroad, an internship across the country, or visiting family during holidays. However, extended periods of sitting (on planes, buses, or trains) can slow blood flow and raise the risk for blood clots. The World Health Organization notes that travel exceeding four hours doubles the risk for clotting.
Simple tips to lower risk while traveling:
- Stand up or walk every hour when possible.
- Flex ankles and calves while seated.
- Stay hydrated and avoid excess alcohol.
- Wear loose clothing; consider compression socks for longer flights.
Long Study Sessions and Campus Life
Back-to-campus also means late nights in the library or long hours at a desk. Prolonged sitting, whether studying, gaming, or streaming, can slow circulation and increase the risk for clots (Dunstan et al., 2012, Diabetes Care).
Healthy study hacks:
- Set a timer to stand and stretch every hour.
- Walk to refill your water bottle.
- Take short “movement breaks” between classes or assignments.
- Join a friend for a quick lap around campus instead of always studying in place.
Recognizing the Signs of a Clot
Knowing the warning signs of a blood clot is just as important as prevention. Symptoms include:
- Blood clot in a person’s leg or arm: Pain, swelling, redness, warmth.
- Blood clot in a person’s lung: Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, rapid heartbeat.
These symptoms require immediate medical care.
Student Health Advocacy
Students can and should be their own best health advocates. Here’s how:
- Ask providers at the student health center about clot risks when discussing contraception.
- Share any family history of clots, miscarriages, or inherited conditions.
- Request information on safer contraceptive options if risk factors are present.
- Learn the signs of clots and encourage friends to do the same.
Returning to campus should bring opportunity and excitement, not ignored health risks. By understanding clotting, asking knowledgeable questions, and making small adjustments to daily routines, students can take control of their health and future.
Blood clot awareness should be part of student health talks because every woman deserves safe options, informed care, and the knowledge to protect her life.
Read more here.
View and download a back-to-campus checklist here to help with contraception decision making.
