Table 1.

VTE risk by hormonal type

Hormonal typeExample agentsBaseline risk in nonusersAdjusted RR (95%)Absolute risk
Combined hormonal contraceptives 
COCsa  1.9-3.7/10 000 PY29,30  Overall: 3.5 (2.9-4.3)32  
First generation EEb/norethindrone 1.9-3.7/10 000 PY29,30  3.2 (2.0-5.1)32  3.7-16.1/10 000 PY29  
Second generation EE/LNG
EE/norgestrel 
1.9-3.7/10 000 PY29,30  2.92 (2.23-3.81)29  5-8/10 000 PY29  
Third generation EE/desogestrel;
EE/gestodene 
1.9-3.7/10 000 PY29,30  6.61 (5.60-7.80)29  9-12/10,000 PY29  
Fourth generation/unclassified EE/drosperinone;
EE/cytoproterone acetate 
1.9-3.7/10 000 PY29,30  6.37 (5.43-7.47)29  7-9/10 000 PY29  
Transdermal patch EE/norelgestromin; EE/LNG 2.1/10 000 PY35  7.9 (3.5-17.7)35  9.7/10 000 exposure y35  
Vaginal ring EE/etonogestrel; EE/nestorone 2.1/10 000 PY35  6.5 (4.7-8.9)35  7.8/10 000 exposure y35  
Progestin-only contraceptives 
IUS LNG 25-29 y: 2.4/10 000 PY63  0.6 (0.2-1.5)37  1.4/10 000 PYc 
Low-dose POP (<5  mg) Norethindrone; desogestrel; drosperinone 25-29 y: 2.4/10 000 PY63  0.9 (0.6-1.5)37  2.2/10 000 PYc 
High-dose POP for menstrual bleeding (>5-30  mg) Norethindrone acetate; medroxyprogesterone acetate 25-29 y: 2.4/10 000 PY63
45-49 y: 5.4/10 000 PY63  
5.3 (1.5-18.7)40
5.92 (1.16-30.1)41  
25-29 y: 12.7/10 000 PYc
45-49 y: 28.6/10 000 PYc 
Injectable DMPA Medroxyprogesterone acetate 25-29 y: 2.4/10 000 PY 2.7 (1.3-5.5)37  6.5/10 000 PYc 
Subdermal implant Etonogestrel; LNG 2.1/10 000 PY 1.4 (0.6-3.4)35  1.7/10 000 exposure y35  
Hormonal typeExample agentsBaseline risk in nonusersAdjusted RR (95%)Absolute risk
Combined hormonal contraceptives 
COCsa  1.9-3.7/10 000 PY29,30  Overall: 3.5 (2.9-4.3)32  
First generation EEb/norethindrone 1.9-3.7/10 000 PY29,30  3.2 (2.0-5.1)32  3.7-16.1/10 000 PY29  
Second generation EE/LNG
EE/norgestrel 
1.9-3.7/10 000 PY29,30  2.92 (2.23-3.81)29  5-8/10 000 PY29  
Third generation EE/desogestrel;
EE/gestodene 
1.9-3.7/10 000 PY29,30  6.61 (5.60-7.80)29  9-12/10,000 PY29  
Fourth generation/unclassified EE/drosperinone;
EE/cytoproterone acetate 
1.9-3.7/10 000 PY29,30  6.37 (5.43-7.47)29  7-9/10 000 PY29  
Transdermal patch EE/norelgestromin; EE/LNG 2.1/10 000 PY35  7.9 (3.5-17.7)35  9.7/10 000 exposure y35  
Vaginal ring EE/etonogestrel; EE/nestorone 2.1/10 000 PY35  6.5 (4.7-8.9)35  7.8/10 000 exposure y35  
Progestin-only contraceptives 
IUS LNG 25-29 y: 2.4/10 000 PY63  0.6 (0.2-1.5)37  1.4/10 000 PYc 
Low-dose POP (<5  mg) Norethindrone; desogestrel; drosperinone 25-29 y: 2.4/10 000 PY63  0.9 (0.6-1.5)37  2.2/10 000 PYc 
High-dose POP for menstrual bleeding (>5-30  mg) Norethindrone acetate; medroxyprogesterone acetate 25-29 y: 2.4/10 000 PY63
45-49 y: 5.4/10 000 PY63  
5.3 (1.5-18.7)40
5.92 (1.16-30.1)41  
25-29 y: 12.7/10 000 PYc
45-49 y: 28.6/10 000 PYc 
Injectable DMPA Medroxyprogesterone acetate 25-29 y: 2.4/10 000 PY 2.7 (1.3-5.5)37  6.5/10 000 PYc 
Subdermal implant Etonogestrel; LNG 2.1/10 000 PY 1.4 (0.6-3.4)35  1.7/10 000 exposure y35  
a

RRs reported with EE 30-40  µg when available. Lower estrogen doses carry a lower VTE risk.29 

b

Norgestimate may be listed as either second or third generation, but its risk profile is similar to LNG.29 

c

Calculated using the baseline VTE incidence in nonusers and the RR, when the absolute VTE risk was not reported.

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