Vaskulárna medicína 2/2017

Oral contraceptives and thrombophilia

Oral contraceptives (OC), as a principle part of the hormonal contraception, are considered to be the most common and reliable method of contraception. However, the use of OC has been referred to have except of benefits also some shortcomings. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents the most severe complication of OC. VTE risk is depending on amount of estrogen and type of progestogen, increases particularly with age and a presence of inherited and acquired thrombophilia. The article is a review and deals with the safety and risks of OC related to VTE focusing on population of women who carry inherited and acquired thrombophilia.

Keywords: oral contraceptives, hemostasis, thrombophilia, venous thromboembolism