Estrogen-containing oral contraceptives are allowable in young women with factor V Leiden heterozygosity without a history of thrombosis.

An 18-year-old woman without significant past medical and surgical history presents to discuss the safety and efficacy of oral contraceptives. She is sexually active and currently relying on condoms alone for birth control. Her cousin had a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) following a pregnancy. As part of the family screening, this patient was identified as a factor V Leiden heterozygote. The risks and benefits of initiating oral contraceptives are discussed.