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Horizon

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Factual

Factual: Science & Nature

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Horizon tells amazing science stories and reveals worlds you've never seen before.

Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.

Horizon: 2018

Zoe Williams

Steve Crabtree

Rob Liddell

Milla Harrison-Hansley

Alicky Sussman

Horizon: 2018: Episode 13: The Contraceptive Pill: How Safe Is It?

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

The Contraceptive Pill: How Safe Is It?

Episode 13

Episode 13: The Contraceptive Pill: How Safe Is It?

2018

BBC Two - Horizon, 2018, The Contraceptive Pill: How Safe Is It?

GP Dr Zoe Williams interrogates the contraceptive pill.

GP Dr Zoe Williams investigates the contraceptive pill - exploring the latest scientific research and investigating the future of birth control.

In recent years a groundbreaking new study has been released into the effects of the contraceptive pill. Research from Denmark claimed women on the pill and other forms of hormonal contraception were 70% more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who were not. And another study has found hormonal contraception was linked to a seemingly dramatic risk of breast cancer.

Negative headlines are nothing new for the contraceptive pill - first introduced in 1961, it has had a chequered history with early versions linked to cancer risk and life-threatening blood clots. Yet hormonal contraception remains Britain's most popular form of birth control, and today over three million women take regular doses of synthetic hormones. So should they be worried about its safety?

GP Dr Zoe Williams gets behind the headlines in this Horizon investigation. A specially commissioned, nationwide survey reveals the areas of most concern to British women - from mental health to the risk of cancer and drop in libido. With the help of world leading scientists, Zoe finds out if these concerns are justified and by delving deep into the science around the pills side effects Horizon uncovers some striking revelations - from protecting women against cancer to increasing their risk of suicide.

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Episode 13: The Contraceptive Pill: How Safe Is It?

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