Contraception and Cardiovascular Diseases

Women during reproductive years, who need safe contraception, can suffer from many different cardiovascular diseases. This is a comprehensive review about the possible use of different modern contraceptives (intrauterine devices, progestogen-only contraceptives, combined hormonal contraceptives) in women with cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, valvular heart disease or arrhythmia or with history of high blood pressure during pregnancy, ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular accident or deep-vein thrombosis according to most updated International Guidelines. The main aim of this chapter is to suggest to the clinician when the theoretical or proven risks due to the disease outweigh the advantages of using a method of contraception, in order to avoid unsuitable prescriptions and serious adverse effects.