Goldie, I would be very careful about taking any kind of hormones. My PEs were caused by a combination of surgery, clotting disorder, and progesterone. I was not taking any other type of hormone. I was on the progesterone to try to stop irregular bleeding (I had been bleeding for over two months). I didn't know I had the prothrombin mutation (factor II) until after my PEs.

Have you been tested for any of the genetic mutations that cause clotting disorders? If not, please ask your doctor to run the tests. If you're prone to clotting, the progesterone can exacerbate it. It's just not worth the risk.

Some docs are ok with progesterone BC. Mine was, but I opted to use non-hormonal BC even though I have no genetic clotting factors and am on life long warfarin.

I think if you're taking it while on xarelto, I'm sure it's fine and there are many women who never clot again once they change to a progesterone based pill, but ultimately, you decide what you want to take based on what you're comfortable with.

I started a progesterone-only pill four years after my first DVT. I got a second DVT about six weeks later. At that point, everyone said no hormones for me, ever again, which I'm fine with.

I'll note also that I've been tested for every clotting disorder under the sun at least twice, some three times, and I'm negative for everything. Being positive can definitely point toward not using hormones, but being negative doesn't necessarily mean you'll be safe taking them either.

I went with the copper IUD for a while for birth control until I just got myself fixed in 2011 with Essure.

TossNTurn, were you on anticoagulation when you clotted on the progesterone?

I was on bio-identical progesterone for 3 months before I had my clots. But the doc's could not say that that was what caused them. I don't think I will try the progesterone again, even on Coumadin.

I was not on anticoagulants when I clotted on the progesterone. My previous DVT (four years earlier) had been blamed on regular estrogen BC. I did only six months on warfarin after that DVT and had been fine for three and a half years when my OB/GYN convinced me I'd be "safe" trying the progesterone-only pill.

I mean, everyone has their own definition of "safe" and for me its not using any hormones again, ever. Many docs have been taught that estrogen is dangerous and progesterone is "safe," but if you read the warnings that come with the progesterone-only pills, every single one will say not to use if you have a history of clotting. Of course, if you are on anti-coagulants, you might feel better about trying the progesterone-only pills. Again, it all depends on what your own personal comfort level is.

Do your own research and don't trust your doc to provide you 100% of the information you need to make your decisions. (I mean, they can't go over all the fine print in the warnings in a 15-minute appointment). Do what you personally are comfortable with ... ultimately, you're the only one who matters in this equation.

My Dr thinks that mine was also BC caused (Yasmin). She told me that I was ok on progesterone only while I was taking anti-coagulants, but she wanted me off those as well before I stopped taking the Xarelto. She is ok with the Mirena IUD, as the progesterone is delivered in a more localized manner, so I'm trying that.

I've had this same conversation with my providers. We're waiting until I'm off the warfarin. I do recommend checking out the charts from the CDC for Medical Eligibility Criteria. http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/unintendedpregnancy/usmec.htm They have been helpful in my discussions with my providers.

Mine was caused from Ortho Evra patch. Wayyyy to much estrogen and it doesn't get buffered by your organs before getting into the blood stream. There are many birth controls without hormones have you looked into them? (The sponge, IUD, cervical cap, Diaphragm...)
I won't be messing with hormones anymore...I almost lost my life. :(

Has your doctor talked to you about the copper IUD (Paraguard) option? Personally I don't want to risk anything with any hormones, and the copper IUD has worked great for me for almost 5 years. The IUD is a long term birth control that can be removed at any time if you decide you want to have children. I remember thinking that IUDs were only for people who had already had children, but that just isn't true.

I clotted on progesterone, but luckily it was only a superficial clot sparked by an IV. Because my risk of stroke is higher due to migraines with aura, my neurologist insisted I come of hormones at that time. I'm so glad I did. I didn't know I had FVL (hetero) at that time.

Anyway, good luck making your decision. It's a hard thing to deal with.

Hi GoldieS,

I wouldn't recommend going on the mini pill.. I was on Kereva birth control pills for a very long time until it started making me nauseated then my Doctor switched me on a different birth control called the MINI PILL (Nor q-d) I was on them for about a year in half until I went to the ER on June 2nd with two PE's in my left lung. That was the only medication I was taking besides my iron pills and I don't smoke.. I never had an issue with birth control until she switched me to the mini pill which only had progesterone in it.. My doctor ran all kinds of test for clotting disorder everything was Negative!! Just to be on the safe side just put a diaper/condom on it .. The pills not worth the risk..