CAN A CHANGE IN SCREENING AND PRESCRIBING PRACTICE REDUCE THE RISK OFVENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM IN WOMEN TAKING THE COMBINED ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVE PILL

The risk of Venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with low close com bined oral contraceptive pills (COCs) is low at between 15 and 30 case s per 100 000 women years of use. Screening the total population or ev en those women with a family history of VIE in a first degree relative is unlikely to have a major impact on the number of cases of VTE asso ciated with COC. Women with a known family history of an inherited thr ombophilia should have this defect excluded before taking COCs. Women with a known thrombophilia or a personal history of VTE should conside r alternative methods of contraception to the COC.