Study Links Most Hormonal Contraceptives to Increased Heart Attack and Stroke Risk

Research involving over 2 million women found that while absolute risks remain low, certain contraceptives significantly raise cardiovascular risks.

A Danish study of over 2 million women aged 15 to 49 found that most hormonal contraceptives increase the risk of ischemic stroke and heart attack.
Combined estrogen-progestin contraceptives, including pills, vaginal rings, and skin patches, were associated with the highest relative risks, with vaginal rings linked to a 3.8-fold increase in heart attack risk.
Progestin-only contraceptives, such as pills and implants, showed a smaller increase in risk, while the progestin-only intrauterine device (IUD) was the only hormonal option not linked to higher cardiovascular risks.
The absolute risk for individual users remains low, translating to one additional stroke for every 4,760 women and one additional heart attack for every 10,000 women using the combined pill annually.
Experts emphasize the importance of individualized contraceptive counseling, particularly for women with existing cardiovascular risk factors, and highlight the need for safer, widely accessible options.