title: Risk of venous thromboembolism in women taking the combined oral contraceptive: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Much scientific, media and patient interest surrounds the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in women taking combined oral contraceptives (COCs).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess VTE risk in women taking COCs, focusing on drospirenone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature searches of clinical studies on COCs in which VTE was reported were undertaken in May 2015. No overall estimate of VTE risk between drospirenone-containing COCs and other COCs was produced because of heterogeneity of the study designs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The final review and meta-analysis included 15 studies. No increased risk of VTE with drospirenone was seen in prospective or case control studies, but the risk of VTE was increased in retrospective cohort and nested case control studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The difference in risk of VTE based on the choice of progestin in COCs is, at worst, very small in absolute terms and should not be the sole factor considered when choosing the 'right' COC for each woman.
authors.affiliation: MBBS, MSc, MA, is Senior Medical Coordinator, Family Planning New South Wales.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bateson
authors.forename: Belinda E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Butcher
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: Gab
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kovacs
authors.forename: Tonia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mezzini
authors.forename: Camille
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Raynes-Greenow
authors.forename: Gino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pecoraro
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Read
authors.forename: Rod
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000736:Androstenes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000736:Androstenes; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; C035144:drospirenone