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Oral Contraceptive Use in Obese Adolescents: A Cautionary Tale
  • Vilmarie Rodriguez,
  • Deepti Warad,
  • Asma Chattha
Vilmarie Rodriguez
Mayo Clinic

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Deepti Warad
Mayo Clinic
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Asma Chattha
Mayo Clinic
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Abstract

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a life-threatening complication rarely encountered with the use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs). Obesity is an additional thrombosis risk factor that has been shown to further increase the risk of VTE with the use of COCs. We present five cases of obese adolescents (BMI >30 kg/m2) who encountered thrombosis complications while on COCs. Although the absolute risk of VTE events in the setting of COCs is rare, caution should be observed when choosing hormonal therapy and safer COCs alternatives discussed with adolescents who are obese.