Oral contraceptives and inherited thrombophilia: a gene-environment interaction with a risk of venous thrombosis?

There are indications in the literature that asymptomatic women with an inherited thrombophilic defect who use oral contraceptive have an increased risk of venous thrombosis. There are no consistent data regarding the thrombotic risk in users of oral contraceptives with an inherited thrombophilic defect and personal history of venous thrombosis. Selective genetic screening on the basis of clinical judgment, and family and personal history, instead of universal screening, may be useful before oral contraceptives are prescribed. Nonetheless, the actual risks and benefits of such practice remain to be examined.