Can You Get a Blood Clot from Birth Control Pills?
Medically reviewed by Linda Girgis | MD, Girgis Family Medicine on August 21st, 2026.
Yes, birth control pills can increase your risk of developing blood clots, though the overall risk remains relatively low. Combined oral contraceptives containing both estrogen and progestin raise blood clot risk by 3-6 times compared to non-users, but this translates to only 3-9 cases per 10,000 women per year. The estrogen component is primarily responsible for this increased clotting risk by affecting proteins involved in blood coagulation. Risk factors like smoking, obesity, family history of clots, or prolonged immobility further elevate this risk. Progestin-only pills carry minimal clotting risk and may be recommended for women with higher baseline risk factors.
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