What about serious side-effects, like thrombosis?

There is no doubt at all that the Pill can occasionally cause serious problems like:

deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or clotting

heart attacks

strokes.

Fortunately, these events are very rare. BUT ... they are much more likely to happen if you have certain ‘risk factors,’ which include:

being a smoker

having a bad family history of thrombosis or some similar illness (say, if your mother had a heart attack at 40)

being severely overweight

being diabetic (though quite a few non-smoking diabetics do use the Pill, under careful supervision)

having high blood pressure

having a high blood cholesterol level (hypercholesterolaemia)

a ‘past history’ of phlebitis (vein inflammation) or thrombophlebitis

being immobile for a while (especially when having a surgical operation).

There are other ‘risk factors’ – for instance, making a very long journey in a plane or a cramped car seat. Your doctor or Family Planning nurse can give you more details.

The risk is now known to be greater in the first year of taking the Pill. But it also increases a little as you get older – see below.

Varicose veins

A lot of people (including some doctors) have the idea that ‘you can’t take the Pill if you have varicose veins'. This isn’t true.

However, in recent years it has become clear that severe problems with varicose veins are a contraindication to the Pill.

But if you just have mild and superficial varicose veins, it is quite likely that your doctor will be willing to prescribe a low-dose Pill for you – provided that you have no other risk factors.

Migraine

In 2004, new research showed that women who have severe migraine and who also use the Pill run an unacceptable risk of having a stroke.

I’m not talking about people who have an occasional slight headache, as we all do. But if you have genuine migraine attacks – particularly migraines with ‘aura’ affecting your eyesight – then in my opinion you shouldn’t be on the Pill.

07/29/2010 05:59 PM

Calcium pills 'raise' heart risk

Calcium supplements taken by many older people could be increasing their risk of a heart attack, research shows.

07/29/2010 06:54 PM

Pregnant women rights questioned

The right of women to choose whether they have home births is being questioned by a leading medical journal.

07/29/2010 07:28 PM

Addiction drugs 'aid weight loss'

A combination pill of two drugs used to treat addiction may help people lose weight, say US researchers.

07/29/2010 11:17 AM

Child heart op ban 'should stay'

Children's heart surgery should remain suspended at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital where four babies died, a report says.

07/28/2010 06:07 PM

Public health fear in NHS revamp

The overhaul of the NHS may harm the public health drive, a health think tank is warning.

07/28/2010 05:48 AM

Say fat not obese, says minister

GPs and other health professionals should tell people they are fat rather than obese, England's public health minister says.

07/28/2010 06:07 PM

Hip hope from stem cell technique

Doctors may soon be able to patch up damaged bones and joints anywhere in the body with a simple shot in the arm.

07/27/2010 07:12 PM

Alcohol can 'lessen' arthritis

Drinking alcohol can reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, a study has found

07/27/2010 06:40 PM

Warning for obese mothers-to-be

Obesity levels among pregnant women have reached epidemic levels, putting the health of their babies at risk, experts say.

07/27/2010 07:08 AM

'Emergency fund' for cancer drugs

The government announces a £50m fund aimed at giving patients access to cancer drugs sooner.