long QT syndrome and progestogen only pill (POP)
Last edited 10/2021 and last reviewed 11/2021
- based on the current evidence, the progestogen-only pill is probably a suitable alternative to the combined oral contraceptive pill in women still wishing to use an oral preparation when the combined oral contraceptive pill is contraindicated because of cardiovascular risk factors - however these women still need to be carefully screened and monitored
- the limited available evidence does not support an association between cardiovascular disease and use of a POP (2)
Note though that in women with congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS)(3)
- study evidence has shown that that progestin-only OC (oral contraceptive) was associated with a pronounced 2.8-fold increased risk of CEs (cardiac events) in women who did not receive beta-blocker therapy, while beta-blockers were highly protective during progestin-only OC treatment
Reference:
- FSRH (March 2015). Progestogen-only pills.
- Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (2000);38 (1): 1-4.
- Abu-Zeitone A. et al. Oral contraceptive use and the risk of cardiac events in patients with long QT syndrome.Heart Rhythm. 2021; 11: 1170-1175
oral contraceptive pill and cardiovascular risk
general contraindications to the progesterone only contraceptive pill