Bradenton, FL
A 40-year-old male asked:
My wife is taking an oral contraceptive. should she take low dose asa to prevent a blood clot? studies say that contraceptive can be linked 2 clots..
4 doctor answers • 20 doctors weighed in
Dr. Leila Winganswered
Internal Medicine 15 years experience
No smoking: Oral contraceptives can be associated with blood clots in the lungs (dvts) or lungs (pulmonary embolisms) and one of the bigger risk factors is smoking, especially over the age of 35. I am not aware of studies that show Aspirin (asa) decreases the risk of blood clots while on oral contraceptives.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Arthur Heller commented
Gastroenterology 44 years experience
aspirin is taken to decrease arterial clots, the kind that can cause stroke and heart attack. OCs are associated with venous clots, the kind that cause pulmonary emboli
Jan 5, 2012
A Verified Doctoranswered
31 years experience
No: The clots caused by the estogen in oral contraceptives occur in the veins. Baby Aspirin does not prevent clots in the veins. It prevents clots in the arteries. Oral contraceptives are safer than driving your car and having a baby. If you want to lower your risk try an estrogen-free form of birth control like the minipill or iud.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Mark Perloeanswered
Fertility Medicine 46 years experience
OC & Clots: If your wife has close family members with history of thrombosis, stroke or pulmonary embolism, testing for blood clotting disorders [thrombophilia] could indicate increased risk for a blood clot.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Scott Krameranswered
Gynecology 37 years experience
No: The pill is associated with a very small increase in venous blood clots, far less risk than when pregnant. Aspirin reduces arterial clots like those causing a heart attack, not ones in veins. Smoking raises risk for both.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 23, 2017
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