Obese women taking the combined pill are staggeringly 24 times more likely to develop life-threatening blood clots, according to new research. And the risk is still 12 times in those who are just overweight in taking the pill that contains oestrogen and progestin.
The combined pill contains a synthetic version of oestrogen - a hormone which can cause venous thromboembolism (VTE). The condition reduces blood flow to organs - potentially triggering heart attacks or strokes.
Lead author Professor Giuseppe Rosano, of the IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, said: "It is well established both obesity and oestrogen-containing contraceptives are risk factors for VTE. Despite this, obese women continue to receive these drugs.
