Estrogens and Clotting Factors

Abstract

We are rapidly approaching a time when, in western countries, young girls will start to take oral contraceptives in their middle teens and continue on such medication throughout their reproductive lives, except for short periods when they discontinue medication in order to become pregnant. They will take estrogens in the years around their menopause and throughout their post-menopausal years. Thus they will live the majority of their lives under increased estrogenic influence. All this time many will be concerned about possible thromboembolic complications, despite the fact that the incidence of thromboembolism, even under these conditions, is very low.