Use of Combined Oral Contraceptives and Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Young Women: A Nested Case-Control Analysis Using German Claims Data

The study analyzed the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in 677,331 young women aged 10-19 years using combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and found that the type of progestogen in COCs significantly influences the risk of VTE. COCs containing levonorgestrel, norethisterone, and norgestimate had the lowest risk, while those with drospirenone, gestodene, and desogestrel had the highest. The study also found a 1.5–2.0-fold increased risk of VTE with COCs containing cyproterone acetate, desogestrel, dienogest, drospirenone, or gestodene compared to those with levonorgestrel. The risk of VTE was higher in girls and young women with lower socioeconomic status and obesity. The study concluded that there is a clear association between the use of COCs and the risk of VTE in young women.