Transdermal Estrogen Might Not Raise Risk for Recurrent Thrombosis

In a small study, oral — but not transdermal — estrogen was associated with excess risk for recurrent venous thromboembolism.

Oral estrogen therapy raises risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in postmenopausal women, so its use generally is contraindicated in women with histories of VTE. Now, French investigators retrospectively assessed the effects of oral and transdermal estrogen on risk for recurrent VTE in 1023 postmenopausal women (age range, 45–70) with prior confirmed first VTE.

Overall, 130 women used hormone therapy after first VTE; of these, 103 used transdermal estrogen and 10 used oral estrogen. Seventy-seven women experienced recurrent VTE during a mean of 79 months after discontinuing anticoagulant therapy. After adjustment for several potential confounders, no significant association was found between recurrent VTE and use of transdermal estrogen (h…

Reviewing Author

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Transdermal Estrogen Might Not Raise Risk for Recurrent Thrombosis

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Reviewing Author