title: Hormonal contraceptives and cerebral venous thrombosis risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Use of oral contraceptive pills (OCP) increases the risk of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). Whether this risk varies by type, duration, and other forms of hormonal contraceptives is largely unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis update the current state of knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a search to identify all published studies on the association between hormonal contraceptive use and risk of CVST in women aged 15-50 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 861 studies reviewed, 11 were included. The pooled odds of developing CVST in women aged 15-50 years taking OCPs was 7.59 times higher compared to women not taking OCPs (OR = 7.59, 95% CI 3.82-15.09). Data are insufficient to make conclusions about duration of use and other forms of hormonal contraceptives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral contraceptive pills use increases the risk of developing CVST in women of reproductive age. Future studies are required to determine if duration and type of hormonal contraceptives modify this risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary , Calgary, AB , Canada.
authors.forename: Farnaz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Amoozegar
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute , Ottawa, ON , Canada.
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Ronksley
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary , Calgary, AB , Canada.
authors.forename: Reg
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sauve
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary , Calgary, AB , Canada ; Department of Radiology, University of Calgary , Calgary, AB , Canada ; Hotchkiss Brain Institute , Calgary, AB , Canada.
authors.forename: Bijoy K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Menon
keywords: birth control pill; cerebral venous sinus thrombosis; cerebral venous thrombosis; hormonal contraceptives; oral contraceptive pill