The pill should not be taken in the following circumstances ( there’s quite a lot of information here, but it’s important!)

Increased clotting risk:

• obesity with body mass index (BMI) more than 35
• a history of blood clots in your legs (also known as DVT/deep vein thrombosis), in your lungs (pulmonary embolism) or in your eyes.
• if a first degree relative (parent, brother or sister) had a blood clot before the age of 45.
• any condition (or a family history of any condition), which may put you at an increased risk of blood clots, for example Factor V Leiden.
• A significant reduction in your mobility for any reason, for example illness, or recent major surgery wheelchair use.

Increased risk of heart disease or stroke:

• if you have a first degree relative (parent, brother or sister) who has had a stroke, heart attack or arterial disease before the age of 45.
• if you have more than one risk factor for heart disease (such as smoking, being overweight, diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of heart disease)
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• a history of migraine with aura, even if only one previous episode
• if you have ever had a heart attack, heart disease, stroke, mini-stroke/TIA, atrial fibrillation (A.F) disease of the heart valves or blood vessels
• diabetes which has affected your blood vessels, kidneys, eyes or nerves
• unexplained headaches or new onset of migraine since starting the pill

    Increased risk of breast cancer:

• breast cancer- now OR in the past
• a breast lump that has not yet been assessed by a doctor
• a strong family history of breast cancer
• if you are a carrier of a breast cancer gene such as BRCA1 or BRCA2.

  Other reasons to avoid the pill:

• allergy to any of the ingredients contained in the pill (check the leaflet in your pack)
• history of weight loss (bariatric) surgery
• unexplained/irregular vaginal bleeding
• breast-feeding, pregnancy, or if you suspect you may be pregnant
• cancer of the uterus (womb), cervix or vagina
• liver disease, e.g. cirrhosis, hepatitis, jaundice, liver tumours
• current gallbladder disease
• organ transplant complicated by rejection
• inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

Some other conditions MAY mean the pill is not a suitable form of birth control for you-if you have any of the following, you should consult a doctor prior to taking the pill:

• diabetes
• high cholesterol or triglycerides
• obesity with BMI between 30 and 35
• history of organ transplant NOT complicated by rejection
• history of high blood pressure in a previous pregnancy
• if you have a parent, brother, sister or child who had a blood clot after the age of 45.
• migraine
• epilepsy
• rheumatic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus (SLE)
• kidney disease
• sickle cell disease
• history of organ transplant (not complicated by rejection)
• conditions causing malabsorption (i.e. the gut does not absorb food & medicines properly), such as coeliac disease or ulcerative colitis.

If you take the contraceptive pill and any of the issues above concern you, it’s advisable to speak to your doctor.