Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is a Blood Clot?Connection to HormonesSigns and SymptomsWhen to Seek HelpWays to Reduce Your RiskFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is a Blood Clot?
Connection to Hormones
Signs and Symptoms
When to Seek Help
Ways to Reduce Your Risk
Frequently Asked Questions
Hormonal birth controlincreases the risk of blood clots in some people with a uterus. Theestrogenin combination hormonal birth control methods adds to the risk of a blood clot in the leg, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis. Combination hormonal birth control pills that contain certain types ofprogestinalso increase the risk of blood clots more than birth control pills that contain other types of progestin.
In this article, we’ll look into the connection between blood clots and hormonal birth control, as well as the signs and symptoms of a blood clot and how to reduce your overall risk.
Cris Cantan / Getty Images
Ablood clot, also known as a thrombus, is coagulated, or clotted, blood. Blood clotting isn’t always a cause for concern. However, it becomes a problem when the clot blocks blood flow within certain arteries or veins, such as those that deliver blood to the heart, lungs, or brain. These blood clots are considered an emergency and require immediate medical attention.
There are different kinds of blood clots.Deep vein thrombosis(DVT) affects the legs, whilepulmonary embolism(PE) blocks the arteries in the lungs. A blood clot in a leg vein can migrate to the lungs and cause PE. Stroke can be another type of blood clot, and it affects the brain.
The Connection to Hormones
Hormonal birth controlis linked to blood clots primarily because of estrogen, an ingredient in many combination hormonal birth control methods. However, the risk of DVT or PE is overall very low with hormonal birth control. Combination birth control pills contained a higher dose of estrogen in the past. Now these pills contain a lower dose of estrogen, and the risk is reduced.
The risk of DVT or PE is higher for a pregnant woman than for a nonpregnant woman taking hormonal contraceptives.
Thebirth control patchdelivers more estrogen than do low-dose birth control pills. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that women using the patch are slightly more likely to get dangerous blood clots in the legs andlungsthan women using pills.
Combination hormonal birth control pills that contain the progestin called desogestrel may increase the risk of blood clots more than birth control pills that contain other types of progestin. The progestin called drospirenone (found in pills such as YAZ or Yasmin) may also lead to a greater risk of blood clots than other types of progestin.
The lowest-risk hormonal options are progesterone-only forms of birth control, such as the hormonalIUD. Data suggest that using progestin-only forms, such as the progestin IUD or progestin-only pills, does not raise the risk of blood clots.
Risk Factors
The known risk factors for blood clots include:
What Causes Blood Clots in Early Pregnancy?
Causes and Risk Factors of Pulmonary Embolism
Signs and Symptoms of a Clot
Blood clot symptomsdepend on where the clot is located and how big the clot is. There are certain scenarios in which a blood clot will not cause any symptoms. However, blood clots in major veins or arteries are almost always symptomatic, and require immediate medical attention.
For DVT,symptomsmay include:
For PE, symptoms may include:
For stroke,symptomsmay include:
RecapBlood clot symptoms vary based on the location and size of the clot. Both DVT and PE are serious medical conditions and require immediate care.
Recap
Blood clot symptoms vary based on the location and size of the clot. Both DVT and PE are serious medical conditions and require immediate care.
When to Seek Professional Treatment
If you suspect you may have DVT or PE, you should seek professional treatment for proper diagnosis and care. However, if you begin experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath, you should call 911 or go to the emergency room.
Additionally, if you’re found to have blood clots as a result of hormonal birth control, you should work with your doctor to decide whether you should continue using hormonal birth control once the clot is treated.
Blood Clots Doctor Discussion GuideDownload PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Download PDF
Email AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Sign Up
Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.
There was an error. Please try again.
People with a family history of blood clots or known blood clotting disorder are advised to also discuss the use of hormonal contraceptives with a specialist to make sure it is safe to do so since these are risk factors of developing blood clots.
Here’s How to Get Rid of Blood Clots
Ways to Reduce Your Blood Clot Risk
Educating yourself on the signs and symptoms of a blood clot is the first step toward lowering your risk of complications or death.
If you are at increased risk of developing a blood clot, be sure to:
How to Prevent Blood Clots
Summary
Combination hormonal birth control can increase your risk of blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in your leg) and pulmonary embolism (blood clots in your lungs). Those containing estrogen are more likely to increase this risk. Certain types of progestin like desogestrel and drospirenone can also increase your chances of developing blood clots. The risk of DVT and PE is higher in pregnant people than in those who are not pregnant and are using hormonal birth control.
A Word From Verywell
The risk of blood clots due to using hormonal birth control is quite low. If you ever experience symptoms of a blood clot, you should call your doctor to be evaluated. Blood clots are treatable. If you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, you should visit the emergency room immediately. If you are concerned about beginning or continuing hormonal birth control, especially during pregnancy, talk to your doctor about the risks involved and ask any questions you may have.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, birth control and smoking can increase your risk for blood clots. Nicotine, the main toxin found in cigarettes, is known to raise blood pressure and heart rate. Combining cigarette use with taking combination hormonal birth control that contains estrogen increases your overall risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.Most often, blood clots will start in the legs. Symptoms may include swelling in your legs, pain, tenderness, or warmth in the affected area, skin redness, and large veins that are visible on the skin’s surface.The chance of developing blood clots is greatest when you just started taking the pill. This is usually within the first several months, though it could be within the first year. The reason for this is because this is when your hormone levels will go through the biggest change.
Yes, birth control and smoking can increase your risk for blood clots. Nicotine, the main toxin found in cigarettes, is known to raise blood pressure and heart rate. Combining cigarette use with taking combination hormonal birth control that contains estrogen increases your overall risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.
Most often, blood clots will start in the legs. Symptoms may include swelling in your legs, pain, tenderness, or warmth in the affected area, skin redness, and large veins that are visible on the skin’s surface.
The chance of developing blood clots is greatest when you just started taking the pill. This is usually within the first several months, though it could be within the first year. The reason for this is because this is when your hormone levels will go through the biggest change.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Michigan Medicine.Hormonal birth control: Risk of blood clots.Mantha S, Karp R, Raghavan V, Terrin N, Bauer KA, Zwicker JI.Assessing the risk of venous thromboembolic events in women taking progestin-only contraception: a meta-analysis.BMJ. 2012 Aug 7;345:e4944. doi:10.1136/bmj.e4944Cleveland Clinic.Deep vein thrombosis.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Michigan Medicine.Hormonal birth control: Risk of blood clots.Mantha S, Karp R, Raghavan V, Terrin N, Bauer KA, Zwicker JI.Assessing the risk of venous thromboembolic events in women taking progestin-only contraception: a meta-analysis.BMJ. 2012 Aug 7;345:e4944. doi:10.1136/bmj.e4944Cleveland Clinic.Deep vein thrombosis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Michigan Medicine.Hormonal birth control: Risk of blood clots.Mantha S, Karp R, Raghavan V, Terrin N, Bauer KA, Zwicker JI.Assessing the risk of venous thromboembolic events in women taking progestin-only contraception: a meta-analysis.BMJ. 2012 Aug 7;345:e4944. doi:10.1136/bmj.e4944Cleveland Clinic.Deep vein thrombosis.
Michigan Medicine.Hormonal birth control: Risk of blood clots.
Mantha S, Karp R, Raghavan V, Terrin N, Bauer KA, Zwicker JI.Assessing the risk of venous thromboembolic events in women taking progestin-only contraception: a meta-analysis.BMJ. 2012 Aug 7;345:e4944. doi:10.1136/bmj.e4944
Cleveland Clinic.Deep vein thrombosis.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
