One study involving 722 women with brain cavernoma found that use of oestrogen/progestogen hormone therapy (oral contraception or hormone replacement therapy [HRT]) was associated with double the risk of symptomatic bleeding from the cavernoma compared with women who did not use such hormone therapy. So far, further studies have not been done to confirm these findings.

The use of HRT and oral contraception are not contraindicated for women with cavernoma in these medicines’ Summaries of Product Characteristics (the documents required in Europe before medicines are authorised). Because women may benefit from the use of such hormone therapy, women with cavernoma should balance the benefits of oestrogen/progestogen hormone therapy with these potential risks for their cavernoma on a case-by-case basis with their own doctor.