So which Pill should I choose?

Regrettably, very few women do actually choose their own brand of Pill. The choosing is mainly done by doctors or nurses. (The main exception to this occurs when a woman asks to go ‘on the same Pill as my friend’ – or ‘the same as my Mum!’)

And unfortunately, a lot of doctors who don’t know much about contraception do tend to pick Pills more or less at random from the 22 currently (2007) available. If you want a more informed choice, go to a doctor who has training in Family Planning.

My advice to you is to ask for:

a low-dose Pill

a ‘second generation Pill.

The reason for preferring a ‘second generation’ Pill is that the ones which came after them in the late 1980s (the ‘third generation Pills’) carry a minutely increased risk of thrombosis.

Admittedly, this increase in risk is very, very tiny indeed.

I strongly advise you not to pay any attention to newspaper stories or broadcasts which suggest that any particular brand of Pill is ‘wonderful’ or ‘better than all the rest'. These tales usually originate from the PR companies employed by the manufacturers!

It is believed that a continuous Pill will be available in late 2007 or in 2008. You take this every single day without breaks – which means that you don’t have to be bothered with periods at all. It’s provisionally titled ‘Lybrel’.

Finally, you may be interested to know that in the UK, 6 out of 10 women are on the formulation contained in the low-dose, second generation Pills called Ovranette and Microgynon, which have been around for many years.

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.