What are the good points about the Pill?

The Pill has now been shown to have certain major health advantages:

it abolishes period pain

it makes periods shorter

it makes them lighter.

Because of this, you are less likely to get anaemic.

If you have acne, the Pill should improve it.

In addition, it decreases your chances of getting certain cancers (though it increases the risk of others). Please see the section on cancer, below.

But can’t it give you a lot of side effects when you start? During the first few packs of the Pill, many women get minor, passing side effects, such as:

headaches

nausea

breast tenderness

slight weight gain

slight ‘spotting’ of blood between the periods.

These side-effects usually go away after the first few packs. If they don’t, it’s very easy to get rid of them by simply switching to another brand of the 22 available brands of 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.