If there are absolute contraindications to hormonal contraception described below, the prescription or use of hormonal contraceptives is strictly not recommended.If there are relative contraindications, it is necessary to consider whether hormonal contraception, is useful. For example, “duration of hormonal contraceptive use” is a relative contraindication:Women taking oral contraceptives for ten years have a 17% increased relative risk of plaques (small, patchy inflammatory changes in the blood vessels) in the carotid artery and a 28% increased relative risk of plaques in the femoral artery.
For the various facets of thromboembolism risk under combined contraceptives, progestin monotherapy, and the hormonal contraception aspect of anticoagulants, see in detail “Thromboembolism Risk Under Hormonal Contraceptive Use.”
Absolute Contraindications
- Thromboembolism – occlusion of a blood vessel by a detached blood clot (thrombos).
- Apoplexy (stroke)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) (systolic > 160 mmHg; diastolic ≥ 100 mmHg).
- Cycle-dependent migraine (not to be confused with menstrual migraine, i.e., migraine that occurs exclusively at the time of menstruation).
- Gravidity (pregnancy)
- Unexplained genital bleeding (leakage of blood originating in the reproductive organs).
- Smoking and age over 35 years
Attention!A claim to completeness does not exist!
Relative contraindications
- Smoking
- Obesity (overweight)
- Physical inactivity
- Immobilization
- Thrombophlebitis (superficial phlebitis)
- Varicosis (varicose disease)
- Hepatopathies (liver disease)
- Tendency to hyperpigmentation – excessive storage of melanin (yellowish to brown or black pigment) in the skin.
- Duration of use of hormonal contraceptives > 10 years.
- Age over 40 years – significantly increased peroxidation of lipids was recorded in 40- to 48-year-old women who used oral contraceptives. This may be an indication of increased cardiovascular risk (cardiovascular risk).
Attention. A claim to completeness does not exist!
