A new study published in Diabetes Care had showed no increase in the occurrence of strokes or heart attacks, among women who have diabetes and use hormonal birth control. Doctors had been reluctant to prescribe hormonal birth control such as oral contraceptives, because they contain estrogen and could increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and blood clots. For women with diabetes, these risks are two to four times higher. The study found that the birth control that was the least likely to be associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes or blood clots were IUDs and subdermal implants.