HORMONAL

CONTRACEPTIVES AND Caitlyn Stuart

THE RISK FOR BLOOD May 2023

CLOTS
 Educate target audience individuals on the risks of certain
types of contraceptives.

Inform on other types of contraceptives available.

OBJECTIV Describe resources available to patient’s who are wanting

more information and guidance than their provider is
ES giving.

Educate on the other risk factors that increase a person’s

chance of developing a clot.

Signs and symptoms to look out for and when to contact

your doctor.
GOALS

Identif Patient will identify their risk level for

blood clots related to their contraceptive
y use and other health related factors.

Identif Patient will identify preventative

measures they can take to reduce their
y risk.

Identif Patient will identify resources available https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/doctor-patient

to them should they want more
y information.
 Women who are of reproductive age on
hormonal contraceptives.
 Women suffering from OBGYN related
diagnosis requiring them to be on hormonal
contraceptives despite their age or sexual
activity status, such as irregular periods,
endometriosis, PCOS (polycystic ovarian
syndrome), and acne to name a few.

TARGET AUDIENCE
 Thousands of women are placed on hormonal
contraceptives every year with little to no education on
what risks they face.

WHAT’S
Hormonal birth control comes in two forms, one with
estrogen and progestin combined, and one with progestin
only. (Team, 2022)

THE
ISSUE?
Although not completely understood, estrogen has been
linked to an increased risk for blood clots. This is due to
estrogen increasing clotting factors. (Team, 2022)

While there are many nonhormonal and non-estrogen

containing birth controls, many patients do not receive
proper education on the risks and benefits of each type of
contraceptive prior to making their decision.
 INFORMATION

Many methods of contraception are available to you.

Hormonal birth control containing estrogen comes in pills, patches, and vaginal rings.

The estrogen-containing patch may be linked to an increase in clots over other methods such as
the vaginal ring and the pill. (Team, 2022)

Methods that pose little to no risk to developing blood clots are progestin-only pills, progestin-
only injections and implants, and IUD (intrauterine devices) with either progestin-only or no
hormones. (Team, 2022)
 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The highest risk for a clot developing is in the first year of starting hormonal contraceptive use. (Team, 2022)

One of the most apparent signs of a blood clot is PAIN! This pain most commonly occurs in the calf region
of one of your legs. While clots vary in severity, a clot may break off and travel to your lungs, becoming a
pulmonary embolism (PE). Signs of this occurring include shortness of breath and chest pain. (Team, 2022)

Other signs and symptoms that would warrant a trip to see your doctor are warmth, edema (swelling), or
redness, especially to a lower extremity, or just not feeling right following initiation of a new birth control.
(Team, 2022)

Always better to be safe than sorry!

 History of a previous blood clot.

Those with a diagnosed clotting

disorder.
Smoking.
RISK
FACTORS Prolonged bedrest and sitting.

Atherosclerosis.

Diabetes.
 PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

Smoking cessation.

Exercise and a healthy diet.

Maintaining a healthy weight for YOU!

It is important to know your family history as well to determine your other risk factors for
developing a blood clot. Relaying this information to your provider can help them to educate
you on what contraceptive method may be best.
 Your personal
provider, whether it
be your primary care
physician or

RESOURC
OBGYN, should be
Planned Parenthood
the first resource you
consult when

ES
worried about clots
from your
contraception.

AVAILABL FDA Office of

Women’s Health

E Office on Woman’s
Health Hotline
(800)994-9662
(provides free
pamphlets and
reading material on
numerous topics
related to Women’s
Health)
  Team, H. and V. (2022, April 26). Can birth control
cause blood clots?. Cleveland Clinic.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/yes-your-birth-control-
could-make-you-more-likely-to-have-a-blood-clot/ 
REFEREN  Understand your risk for excessive blood clotting.

CES
www.heart.org. (2021, April 13).
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/venous-
thromboembolism/understand-your-risk-for-excessive-
blood-clotting 
 Birth control. Women and Blood Clots. (2022, April 5).
https://womenandbloodclots.org/birth-control/