Gender and the risk of venous thromboembolism.

The role of gender in the causation of first and recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) is uncertain. The use of hormonal therapy and pregnancy has been associated with VTE in women. Epidemiological studies have described a higher incidence of first VTE in women of childbearing age. Nevertheless, no consistent differences in the overall incidence of VTE between males and females have been found. Recent studies have shown that women exhibit a lower risk of recurrent VTE than men, although these data were not confirmed in other studies that evaluated only women with idiopathic VTE. This article reviews the role of gender as a risk factor for first and recurrent VTE.