Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential risk of ischemic strokes associated with contraceptive pills for women.

While an increased risk of stroke with combined hormonal contraceptive pills has been recognised for more than 25 years, progestogen-only contraceptives are not associated with a risk of stroke. Clinical advice and product information for combined hormonal contraceptive pills recommend avoiding use in women with risk factors for stroke.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has monitored the risk of stroke with combined hormonal contraceptive pills as new data has emerged, with its most recent reviews undertaken in 2016 and in 2021.