Recommendations and contraindications for hormonal birth control

Font Size

Recommendations and contraindications for hormonal birth control

The following table lists the recommendations and contraindications for hormonal methods of birth control.

**What to consider when using hormonal methods of birth control**
Consideration	Combination pills, skin patch, or vaginal ring (estrogen plus progestin)	Progestin-only pills
Recommended for women who:	Are healthy Are breast-feeding (6 weeks after delivery) Smoke (if younger than 35) without other health risks Have diabetes (if younger than 35) without complications Have controlled high blood pressure and do not smoke Have controlled cholesterol levels Have had an abortion	Cannot take estrogen. Health risks related to estrogen use are not present with progestin-only pills. Are breast-feeding (3 days after delivery) Have migraines with aura
Not recommended for women who:	Smoke and are older than 35 Have diabetes and are older than 35 Have a risk for blood clots, including a family history of clots or a past clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism) or leg (thrombophlebitis) Have had a stroke Have coronary artery disease or heart failure Have (or had) breast cancer Are pregnant or may be pregnant Have (or had) liver cancer, noncancerous tumors of the liver, active hepatitis, or poor liver function Have uncontrolled high blood pressure Have undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding Have migraine headaches with neurological symptoms or migraine aura Have lupus with heart, blood vessel, or kidney symptoms Have sickle cell anemia Have high triglyceride levels	Are or may be pregnant Have active breast cancer or history in past 5 years Have undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding Have active hepatitis Have active colitis

Author Merrill Hayden
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Terrina Vail
Primary Medical Reviewer Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 23, 2006

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

@ 1995-2007, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.