Hormonal contraception: venous and arterial disease

The aim of this review was to evaluate whether the biological and epidemiological evidence is concordant in suggesting that levonorgestrel (LNG)-based hormonal contraceptives (HCs) are safer than newer formulations with regard to their effect on the cardiovascular system.

A narrative review was carried out of the modification of risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and arterial diseases induced by different HCs. Limits and concordance with epidemiological data were addressed.

The data indicate general concordance between modifications of risk factors and epidemiology of VTE, with LNG-based HCs showing lower risk compared with most new formulations. Evidence for drospirenone (DRSP)-containing HCs is conflicting. LNG-based HCs are less favourable than HCs containing non-androgenic progestins, particularly DRSP, on risk factors for arterial events. Epidemiological studies do not consistently show a difference in arterial disease outcomes between different HCs; however, by evaluating women up to the age of 50, they do not take into consideration the time lag necessary for atherosclerosis to develop.

As a consequence of the different risk factors involved, and the different time lags between HC use and the manifestation of VTE or arterial diseases, the available epidemiological data do not give a reliable estimate of the cardiovascular risk associated with the use of different HCs. LNG-based HCs are safer than newer HCs as regards VTE risk, but biological data indicate that they are less favourable, particularly than HCs containing DRSP, on risk factors for atherosclerosis. Because of the limits of actual epidemiological evidence regarding arterial disease, modifications of arterial risk factors should be taken into consideration when considering individual long-term safety of HC use.