Mechanisms of Estrogen-Induced Venous Thromboembolism

Svetlana N. Tchaikovski, Jan Rosing*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The use of oral contraceptives (OC) is a well established risk factor for venous thrombosis. It has been known for many years that almost all haemostatic parameters i.e. plasma levels of coagulation factors, anticoagulant proteins and proteins involved in the fibrinolytic pathway change during OC use. The discovery of several risk factors of venous thrombosis in the 1990s shed new light on the association between the effects of OC on the haemostatic system and the increased risk of venous thrombosis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the effects of different kinds of hormonal contraceptives (OC, transdermal contraceptives, vaginal ring and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device) on haemostatic variables and the relationship between the changes of these variables and the risk of venous thrombosis.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5-11
JournalThrombosis Research
Volume126
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2010

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