Though today’s low-dose birth control pills are safe and effective for the majority of women who take them, some conditions present potential risks. Women need to discuss the use of the pill with their physician to determine if it is a safe form of birth control. Conditions that may prevent a woman from using birth control pills include:

• Thyroid disease
  
  
• Breast, cervical, uterine or liver cancer in her personal or family medical history
  

  

• Deep vein thrombosis or any other blood clot disorders
  
  
• History of stroke
  
  
• Depression
  
  
• Migraine headaches
  
  
• Certain heart conditions (e.g., coronary heart disease, heart failure) 
  
  
• Kidney failure
  
  
• Hepatitis
  
  
• Abnormal changes in menstrual or uterine bleeding
  
  
• Endometriosis
  
  
• Uterine fibroids

The use of birth control pills is also a concern in women with other conditions, including:

• Family history of heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Non-cancerous breast disease (fibrocystic breasts)
• Gallbladder disease or gallstones
• Liver disease
• Epilepsy
• Lupus
• Sickle cell anemia
• Chorea gravidarum (chorea [a condition causing jerky body movements] occurring during pregnancy)

Women are also encouraged to speak with their physician before taking birth control pills if they are breastfeeding, or if they smoke.