Birth control is a very personal and intimate decision. The different factors that go into making a decision about birth control involve more than just the prevention of pregnancy. These factors can include, among others, relationship status, lifestyle preferences or demands, and personal health history.

Many options to prevent pregnancy exist, but no one option is considered the “best” method for all women. The factors that influence a woman’s contraception decision-making are diverse, and no two women are alike.

There are, however, several key factors that all women considering their contraception options should consider. These factors include: making a choice that meets your specific needs, evaluating your short- and long-term pregnancy plans, doing your own research, comparing hormonal and non-hormonal contraception options, and communicating with your healthcare provider or prescriber to make the best choice given your health history.

Birth control methods that contain hormones – including the pill, patch, and ring – have been used safely for many years by millions of women worldwide. Estrogen and synthetic progesterone (called progestin) are the hormones commonly used in many forms of birth control. Estrogen-based contraception methods are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, including an increased risk for dangerous blood clots, heart attack, and stroke.

All too often, we hear stories of unsuspecting and otherwise healthy women of child-bearing age who are prescribed birth control that contains estrogen and who later experience a blood clot or lose their life to a blood clot. Tragically, hundreds of women in the United States lose their life due to hormonal contraception each year.¹

RATE OF RISK

According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, the risk for blood clots is about three to nine women out of 10,000 every year.² While the risk for blood clots linked to hormonal contraception is characterized as “rare,” even statistically small risks can affect a significant number of people because hormonal contraception is so widely used. For example, there are an estimated 842 million women worldwide who use hormonal contraception (all methods).³ Therefore, based on various estimations, about 250,000 to more than 750,000 women worldwide may be at increased risk for blood clots linked to their birth control.

Also, women with other risk factors, such as women who are obese, who smoke, or who may have a genetic clotting disorder, are at even greater risk.⁴ For example, the risk for dangerous blood clots is 35 times greater for women who use hormonal contraception and who also are affected by the inherited clotting disorder factor V Leiden.⁵

Speak to your healthcare provider or prescriber to evaluate your potential risk for blood clots. You can use this Self-Screener Questionnaire to help identify your risk for blood clots.