VTE Risk as a Guiding Factor in Oral Contraceptive Selection

Oral contraceptives (OCs) are used by millions of women worldwide, which justifies ongoing interest in determining which formulations are safest. In a study supported by a manufacturer of drospirenone-containing OCs, Danish investigators have expanded on a prior analysis (JW Womens Health Sep 17 2009). The updated report involves data from 1,296,120 Danish women (age range, 15–49) with no histories of thrombotic disease who were followed from 2001 through 2009.

In all, 4307 first-time occurrences of venous thromboembolism (VTE) were identified, of which 2847 were confirmed. VTE risk in users of progestin-only OCs was similar to that in nonusers of hormonal contraception (adjusted relative risk, 0.6). VTE risk with use of combined products th…