skip to main content

Combined hormonal contraception and smoking — DRCOG MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModerateContraceptionCombined hormonal contraception and smokingDRCOG

A 38-year-old woman smokes 20 cigarettes daily and asks for a repeat combined pill prescription. She has no migraine and her BMI is 24 kg/m². Blood pressure is normal. What would you advise?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — Advise switching to a safer non-oestrogen method

Age over 35 with heavy smoking makes combined hormonal contraception high risk, so a non-oestrogen method should be advised. Normal blood pressure does not remove smoking-related arterial and thrombotic risk. Increasing oestrogen would worsen risk. Aspirin does not make CHC safe in this setting.

Reference: FSRH UKMEC; FSRH Combined Hormonal Contraception