The Effect of the Mini-pill on Blood Factors in Women at Increased Risk for Forming Blood Clots

University of Vermont

Status

Terminated

Conditions

Women's Health

Blood Coagulation Disorders

Treatments

Drug: Norethindrone

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT00580424

08-002

Details and patient eligibility

About

We propose a prospective cohort study to assess the effect of the progesterone only contraceptive pill (minipill) on coagulation parameters known to be associated with risk of thrombosis (blood clots) in women who are at increased risk for forming blood clots. We plan to recruit women with a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE, blood clot in a vein) and women with a history of blood tests which demonstrate an increased risk of thrombosis who desire contraception.

Women enrolled in this study will undergo phlebotomy (blood draw) at baseline (prior to starting the minipill), one and three months. Stored samples will be used to measure D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), antithrombin (AT), factor VIII, free and total protein S, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor (vWF) and normalized activated protein C sensitivity ratio (nAPCsr). Both groups will undergo a general physical and GYN exam prior to enrollment. This exam and the blood testing will be provided free of charge. Patients will not be prescribed the minipill after completion of the study and will be advised to consult with their primary care physician or hematologist if they wish to continue this medication.

Enrollment

20 estimated patients

Sex

Female

Ages

18 to 52 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Women with a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE, blood clot in a vein) and women with a history of blood tests which demonstrate an increased risk of thrombosis who desire contraception.
Blood tests which demonstrate an increased risk of thrombosis include the following:
- Hyperhomocysteinemia/MTHFR mutation
- Prothrombin gene mutation
- Factor V Leiden heterozygotes
- Factor V Leiden homozygotes, antithrombin III mutation
- Protein S deficiency and Protein C deficiency.

Exclusion criteria

Women on current anticoagulation therapy
Women with a history of oral contraceptive related thrombotic events
Active or history of cigarette smoking within the past 6 months
Pregnancy
Active lactation
Known hypersensitivity to progestin
Any history of malignancy
History within the last three months of surgery or planning surgery during the study period
Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
Active liver disease and history within the last 5 years of alcoholism or drug abuse.
Additionally, women must be greater than 3 months postpartum and have had two months without contraceptive hormones (such as the birth control pill) and 6 months without Depo-Provera use prior to enrollment.