Contraception and heart disease

Find out about different types of contraception and how they can impact on your risk of heart disease.

Most types of contraception are suitable for the majority of women in New Zealand.  

For some women, however, certain types of contraception can raise the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, strokes and blood clots. 

Your health professional or Family Planning can help you decide which type of contraception is most suitable for you.

Types of contraception in New Zealand

There are two main types of contraception: those that contain hormones and those that don’t contain hormones. 

Contraception that contains hormones includes: 

• progestogen-only pill (the mini-pill) 
• combined oral contraceptive pill (the pill) 
• injection (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), Depo Provera) 
• implant (Jadelle, also known as rods) 
• intra-uterine devices (IUDs) that contain progestogen (Mirena) or levonorgestrel (Jaydess). 

Non-hormonal contraception methods include: 

• condoms (both male and female) 
• copper IUD 
• tubal ligation 
• vasectomy 
• fertility awareness. 

There are two types of emergency contraception that can be used after unprotected sex, one of which is hormonal and one of which isn’t. 

Contraception and heart conditions

Some kinds of hormonal contraception may not be suitable for women with, or at risk of, certain heart conditions because it may increase the risk of future heart events. 

Combined oral contraception (the pill) may not be recommended if you:  

• have had a blood clot (venous thromboembolism or VTE), or a parent or sibling has had one 
• have high blood pressure 
• smoke and are over the age of 35 
• have heart valve disease 
• have atrial fibrillation 
• have heart failure 
• have had a heart attack or stroke, or have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease 
• have multiple heart disease risk factors 
• have a disease of the blood vessels or arteries, such as aortic aneurysm or peripheral vascular disease 
• have diabetes. 

DMPA injection (Depo Provera) may not be recommended for women who have: 

• had a heart attack or stroke, or have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease 
• multiple heart disease risk factors 
• disease of the blood vessels, for example aortic aneurysm or peripheral vascular disease 
• had diabetes  
• some women whose high blood pressure isn’t well controlled. 

Your doctor or Family Planning can help you decide which type of contraception is right for you. There may be other reasons, such as cancer risks, certain medications, and migraines, which may make some types of contraception unsuitable for you.  

Read more about women and heart disease