Smoking
Smokers who take the pill have a significantly higher risk of suffering a thrombosis than non-smokers who take the pill. This is because both the pill and smoking increase the risk of thrombosis. If both risk factors are combined, the overall risk increases accordingly.
Smoking constricts the blood vessels and causes damage to the walls of the blood vessels, to which blood clots can attach more quickly. This mechanism is promoted by the lower blood flow velocity. Women smokers over the age of 35 should avoid taking the pill or refrain from smoking.
Studies have shown that this constellation of risk factors poses a particular risk of thromboses from this age onwards. Women smokers should therefore generally be advised to use a different contraceptive method. Suitable methods include condoms, diaphragms and coils. The latter contains significantly less hormones than the pill.
