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Family history VTE — DFSRH MCQ

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HardCombined hormonal contraceptionFamily history VTEDFSRH

A 21-year-old with no personal thrombosis asks for CHC. Her mother had an unprovoked DVT at age 38 and no familial thrombophilia result is available. How should CHC be classified?

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Correct answer: A — UKMEC 3 — risks usually outweigh benefits

The best answer is “UKMEC 3 — risks usually outweigh benefits”. A first-degree relative with venous thromboembolism before age 45 makes CHC UKMEC 3, meaning that risks usually outweigh benefits and another method is generally preferred. It is not automatically category 4 without a personal VTE or known high-risk thrombophilia. Routine population thrombophilia screening is not required to apply the family-history category.

Reference: CoSRH, UK Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use 2025: https://www.cosrh.org/Common/Uploaded%20files/documents/UKMEC_2025.pdf