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Hormonal Birth Control: Who Can and Can't Use It

Topic Overview

The following table lists the recommendations and contraindications for hormonal methods of birth control.

**What to consider when using hormonal methods of birth control**
Consideration	Combination pills, skin patch, or vaginal ring (estrogen plus progestin)	Progestin-only pills, implant, or shot
Recommended for women who:	Are healthy Are breast-feeding (6 weeks after delivery) Smoke (if younger than 35) without other health risks Have diabetes (if younger than 35) without complications Have controlled high blood pressure and do not smoke Have controlled cholesterol levels Have had an abortion	Cannot take estrogen. Health risks related to estrogen use are not present with progestin-only pills. Are breast-feeding Have migraines with aura Have high blood pressure or coronary artery disease Smoke and are older than 35 Have sickle cell disease
Not recommended for women who:	Smoke and are older than 35 Have diabetes and are older than 35 Have a risk for blood clots, including a family history of clots or a past clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism) or leg (thrombophlebitis) Have had a stroke Have coronary artery disease or heart failure Have (or had) breast cancer Are pregnant or may be pregnant Have (or had) liver cancer, noncancerous tumors of the liver, active hepatitis, or poor liver function Have uncontrolled high blood pressure Have undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding Have migraine headaches with neurological symptoms or migraine aura Have lupus with heart, blood vessel, or kidney symptoms Have sickle cell disease Have high triglyceride levels Are taking certain medicines (check with your doctor)	Are or may be pregnant Have active breast cancer or history in past 5 years Have undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding Have active hepatitis Have active colitis Are taking certain medicines (check with your doctor)

Related Information

Birth Control

Credits

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Revised	May 21, 2010

By:

Healthwise Staff

Last Revised: May 21, 2010

Medical Review:

Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.