Is the Pill safe?

So is the Pill safe? Basically, yes. But very occasionally, it can have serious side-effects, which we’ll deal with in a moment.

For that reason, most doctors do not think that it should be ‘dished out’ to absolutely everyone, without any need for a prescription. However, in 2007 there was a suggestion by medical experts that it should be provided ‘over the counter’! This change is unlikely to occur soon.

So when you want to start on the Pill, you should see a doctor (or Family Planning Nurse) and have a short check-up.

The main purpose of this is to see if you have any ‘risk factors’ (see below) which would make you more liable to heart attacks or strokes.

Also, you should return to the surgery or clinic for occasional ‘Pill checks’. In Britain, they are usually done at six-monthly intervals.

These visits are very brief, and generally all that the nurse or doctor does is to ask you whether you’re having any problems with the Pill, ensure that you haven’t developed any ‘risk factors’ in the last six months, and check your blood pressure (and possibly weigh you).

A lot of people still think that you ‘have to have a smear before going on the Pill’ but this is no longer true.

A very tiny number of women should not take the Pill, because they have serious medical conditions. More details from your doctor or Family Planning nurse.

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