Table 5. WHO recommendations 2015*—venous thromboembolism and immobilization, modified from (2).
Risk | COC |
Contraceptive patch |
Vaginal ring |
POP |
Copper spiral |
Levonorgestrel spiral |
Major surgery – prolonged immobilization – no prolonged immobilization |
4 2 |
4 2 |
4 2 |
2 1 |
1 1 |
2 1 |
Minor surgery – no immobilization |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
COC, combined oral contraceptives; POP, progesterone-only pill.
*1, no restriction on use of method; 2, benefit > risk; 3, risk > benefit; 4, the method should not be used because the risk to health is too high.