Dear BabyGurl_07,

Most women can use the pill safely. Women with certain medical conditions should not take the pill. Before prescribing the pill, a health care provider will ask a woman about her medical history to determine if it is safe for her to take.

All medications have risks. Women who use the pill have a slightly greater chance than nonusers of developing certain serious problems that can be fatal in very rare cases. These include blood clots in the legs, lungs, heart, or brain, and/or liver tumors. The chance of developing some of these problems increases with age — especially when certain other health problems are present. The risks are increased by being age 35 or older, smoking, and by conditions associated with heart attack, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high levels of cholesterol, and certain inherited conditions that increase the risk of blood clotting.

For more information, check out Facts About Birth Control — The Pill and Smoking or — the Pill, the Patch, the Ring.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.