Abstract Number: PB2498
Meeting: ISTH 2020 Congress
Theme: Women Health » Estrogens and Progestinics
Background: Hormonal contraceptives (HC) are widely prescribed in young women for contraception and other reasons. The relative risk of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is 3-5 folds compared to nonusers. This risk is related to estrogens and is influenced by dose, type, duration, family history of VTE or thrombophilia and obesity. Conventional haemostasis testing would not detect hypercoagulability or predict thrombosis risk. Thromboelastography (TEG) is a sensitive global haemostatic test that analyzes clot kinetics. Studies show many young women are unable to make informed decision about HC due to poor knowledge. Around 300 healthy young women are dying yearly in the US due to HC.
Aims: To determine the level of knowledge of young females concerning the risks/benefits of HC and to evaluate the coagulability of blood of HC users.
Methods: 123 participants 18-30 years in various academic programs completed an anonymous online 32- items survey in three sections: demographics, use/type/duration of hormonal contraception and knowledge of risks and benefits. Of these, 43% high-school diploma, 23% college diploma, 22% bachelor, 11% post-graduate. 70 females consented to blood samples for testing using TEG.
Results: Of the 123 participants, 76 HC users (36 >1 year) and 47 non-users. Top reported benefits: not getting pregnant (84%), clearing acne (59%), regulating menses (84.5%), reducing cancer risk (31%). Common side effects were: weight gain (99%), mood swings (94%) and changes in sexual desire (85%). 92% believe HC increases risks for blood clots. 80% understand the terms: thrombosis, DVT and PE and 70 % recognize their symptoms. TEG data for 4 out of the 20 tested female (20%) showed hypercoagulable traces as evidenced by increased MA and CI parameters above normal ranges.
Conclusions: Misconceptions remain among young women concerning benefits and risks of HC. Larger clinical studies using TEG have the potential to predict VTE risk and individualize or modify prescribed regimens.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Deng Y, Velez M, Othman M. Knowledge vs Actual Thrombotic Risks Associated with Hormonal Contraception in Young Women [abstract]. Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2020; 4 (Suppl 1). https://abstracts.isth.org/abstract/knowledge-vs-actual-thrombotic-risks-associated-with-hormonal-contraception-in-young-women/. Accessed August 19, 2022.« Back to ISTH 2020 Congress
ISTH Congress Abstracts - https://abstracts.isth.org/abstract/knowledge-vs-actual-thrombotic-risks-associated-with-hormonal-contraception-in-young-women/