{"id":120282,"date":"2025-05-21T16:51:12","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T16:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/120282\/"},"modified":"2025-05-21T16:51:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T16:51:12","slug":"common-medication-taken-by-millions-of-brits-linked-to-triple-risk-of-deadly-stroke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/120282\/","title":{"rendered":"Common medication taken by millions of Brits linked to triple risk of deadly stroke"},"content":{"rendered":"

THE combined pill has been linked to triple the risk of sudden stroke in young women, a new study has revealed.<\/p>\n

It’s already well established that the pill<\/a>, taken by over 3 million women in the UK, can increase the risk of blood clots<\/a> and heart issues<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Close<\/a><\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

The combined pill could triple the risk of sudden stroke in young womenCredit: Getty<\/p>\n

Now, scientists based in Turkey have also linked it to a higher chance of cryptogenic ischaemic stroke<\/a> (CIS) – a type of brain bleed with no clear cause.<\/p>\n

The new findings were presented at the European Stroke Organisation Conference\u00a0in Helsinki, Finland today (May 20). <\/p>\n

Researchers from Istanbul University looked at 268 women aged 18 to 49 who had sudden, unexplained strokes, and compared them to 268 women of the same age who hadn\u2019t had a stroke.<\/p>\n

Among those who had strokes, 66 were using the combined contraceptive pill<\/a> compared to just 38 in the control group.<\/p>\n

After accounting for factors like smoking<\/a>, high blood pressure<\/a>, migraines<\/a> and obesity<\/a>, they found women on the pill were three times more likely to suffer a cryptogenic stroke.<\/p>\n

The combined pill contains oestrogen and progestogen – and it’s the oestrogen that’s been linked to a higher risk of blood clots, which can lead to strokes.<\/p>\n

However, strokes in younger people are rare, and the overall risk from using the pill is very low, according to the Stroke Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It’s important to always speak to your doctor and pharmacist when thinking of coming off a medication. <\/p>\n

Earlier this year, a Danish study<\/a> suggested the combined pill increases the risk of stroke two-fold.<\/p>\n

But in this study, experts have found a link to cryptogenic strokes, specifically.<\/p>\n

The 2 forms of contraceptive ‘most likely to trigger deadly heart attack and stroke’ revealed<\/p>\n

\u201cOur findings confirm earlier evidence linking oral contraceptives to stroke risk,\u201d said Dr Mine Sezgin, lead author of the study. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s particularly notable is that the association remains strong even when accounting for other known risk factors, which suggests there may be additional mechanisms involved \u2013 possibly genetic or biological.\u201d<\/p>\n

The experts said more studies are needed to firmly establish the link.<\/p>\n

But they also urged doctors to be careful when prescribing combined oral contraceptives to women with existing stroke risks or a history of ischaemic stroke.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur findings should prompt more careful evaluation of stroke risk in young women, particularly those with additional risk factors,\u201d Dr Sezgin, said. <\/p>\n

How to choose the best method of contraception<\/p>\n

THERE are numerous contraception options available on the NHS and privately, and finding the right one for you can take time.<\/p>\n

Things to consider when deciding what contraception to use include how often you need to use it.<\/p>\n

Some methods, like the coil, are long acting, while others you need to take every day or use every time you have sex, like the pill and condoms.<\/p>\n

Hormonal methods of contraception can also sometimes leave users with side effects like headaches, feeling sick, mood swings, weight gain, sore breasts and acne.<\/p>\n

These types can carry a very small risk of health issues like blood clots and breast cancer too, meaning hormonal methods won’t be suitable for everybody.<\/p>\n

On top of this, some types will be more effective than others.<\/p>\n

The implant and coil are deemed to be 99 per cent effective at preventing pregnancy, as is the pill and patch if used correctly.<\/p>\n

But condoms can sometimes break and methods like natural family planning – tracking when you’re most fertile and avoiding sex at those times – tend to be less effective.<\/p>\n

Speak to your GP about which of the following might suit you best:<\/p>\n