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In response to recent media reports linking the contraceptive pill with a risk of blood clots, Sue Burchill, Head of Nursing at Brook, said:
"To anyone taking the combined contraceptive pill who's worried by recent headlines linking it to increased risk of blood clots, our message is to keep taking it as normal.
"Whenever any contraception is prescribed, clinical staff – that is, nurses and doctors – are always careful to ask lots of questions about the person’s medical history, so that we can be sure it's a suitable contraception method for that individual.
"The risk of blood clots is very small, and the risk of dangerous clots is even smaller. However, if you're still concerned, please talk to a doctor or nurse or visit your local sexual health service, where they will be able to answer questions or concerns you may have.”
Brook released a statement last year, following the publication of research in the British Medical Journal linking some types of contraceptive pills with a higher risk of blood clots.
As then, we note that the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare has said that the BMJ research has not changed its prescribing advice for contraceptive pills, and notes that the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE, or a blood clot in a vein) is also significantly raised during pregnancy and after childbirth, to a degree much greater than the risk associated with taking a contraceptive pill.
For media enquiries please contact Brook's press office on 07789 682831 or email press@brook.org.uk
Notes to editors
Brook believes that young people should have access to great sexual health services and wellbeing support.
Brook provides free and confidential sexual health information, contraception, pregnancy testing, advice and counselling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and education programmes, reaching nearly 235,000 young people nationwide every year.
Read our Strategic Plan 2017-2020 and learn more about the difference we make in our latest Success Report.
