Overview

• The SECRETO study, presented at the European Stroke Organisation Conference, found a threefold increase in cryptogenic ischemic stroke risk for combined oral contraceptive users aged 18–49.
• Researchers analyzed data from 268 stroke patients and 268 age-matched controls, with 66 stroke patients and 38 controls using combined oral contraceptives.
• The elevated stroke risk persisted even after adjusting for traditional factors like smoking, hypertension, migraines, and obesity, suggesting potential genetic or biological mechanisms.
• Cryptogenic ischemic strokes account for 40% of strokes in young adults, with no clear cause identified, making these findings particularly significant for reproductive-age women.
• Experts recommend personalized risk assessments when prescribing combined oral contraceptives, particularly for women with additional vascular risk factors or a history of stroke.