A new study has revealed concerning findings about the safety of the combined oral contraceptive pill, showing that women who take it may face a significantly increased risk of a sudden, unexplained stroke.
In Kenya, the use of modern birth control methods surged by 11.6 per cent in 2024, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
According to the data released in April 2025, 294,172 new users of the combined pill were recorded in 2024, up from 191,487 in 2023.
Repeat visits also rose from 312,825 in 2023 to 498,506 in 2024, indicating growing reliance on the method.
However, in a research presented at the European Stroke Organisation Conference in Helsinki, women who undertook the combined pills have an increased risk of stroke.
According to the Daily Mail, the researchers analysed data from 536 women aged 18–49. Among them, 268 had experienced a cryptogenic ischemic stroke, while the other 268 served as a healthy control group.
Cryptogenic ischemic stroke is a type of stroke with no identifiable cause.
Researchers found that 66 stroke patients and 38 stroke-free women were taking the combined oral contraceptive.
After adjusting for age and other medical conditions, women on the pill were found to be three times more likely to suffer a cryptogenic stroke than those who were not.
Lead researcher Dr Mine Sezgin, a neurology expert from Istanbul University, said the findings reinforce earlier evidence linking oral contraceptives to stroke risk.
“Our findings confirm earlier evidence linking oral contraceptives to stroke risk and should prompt more careful evaluation of stroke risk in young women, particularly those with additional risk factors,” Dr Sezgin said.
“This knowledge could help guide more personalised contraceptive choices for women.”
Notably, the researchers found no significant link between the contraceptive and known stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity or migraines.
This suggested the drug itself may be directly responsible. The pill, which contains both oestrogen and progestogen, works by preventing ovulation.
Dr Sezgin added that the strong association found in the study, even after accounting for other risk factors, points to the possibility of underlying genetic or biological mechanisms.
“While our data provides important initial insights, larger studies are needed to determine whether certain formulations carry different levels of risk,” she said.
According to the World Health Organisation, over 100 million women globally use the combined oral contraceptive.
It is more than 99 per cent effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly and is also prescribed for conditions such as heavy periods, premenstrual syndrome, endometriosis and acne.
While the findings are significant, independent experts have cautioned against panic.
They noted that the absolute risk of stroke in healthy young women remains very low, and the risk of stroke is higher during pregnancy than with contraceptive use.
Healthcare professionals are advised to assess individual risk factors carefully before prescribing the combined contraceptive pill and to explore alternative birth control options for women with elevated risk.
