Everyday we make decisions - whether to walk home at night alone or run across a road, whether to catch a bus or drive in a car. We rarely think about risk associated with these decisions unless it is brought to our attention. Taking the contraceptive pill is a bit like this; while it is true that there are risks associated with taking the pill (like increased risk of deep vein thrombosis), every medicine we take will have risks that vary according to different people and age groups. Doctors are constantly learning who will best benefit from a medicine and who will be worse off, so they can find alternatives that are safer and better. Some people are likely to have more problems with the contraceptive pill, and that is why doctors do a detailed medical history on a subject before they prescribe it. Over time it has emerged that some people have problems with the contraceptive pill that doctors were unaware of before, but this means necessary adjustments can be made so the pill can be safer for more and more women. And don't forget that the contraceptive pill and other hormonal methods of contraception work safely for millions of women worldwide.

Taking the pill for one month carries the same risk of dying (around one in a million) as:
-          Riding a motorbike for one minute
-          Rock climbing for a minute and a half
-          Driving for one hour

In fact the contraceptive pill can offer benefits that go way beyond pregnancy prevention. When used properly, the oral contraceptive pill means:
-          99% effectiveness in preventing pregnancy
-          No permanent effects - you can become pregnant when you stop taking it
-          More regular periods
-          Less painful periods
-          Lighter menstrual flow
-          Less chance of acute PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)
-          Fewer ovarian cysts
-          Less likelihood of tubal pregnancy
-          Protection against cancer of the ovaries and the lining of the uterus
-          Protection against non-cancerous breast cysts and lumps

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