Fit and healthy woman, 25, suffers stroke after taking contraceptive pill

Danielle Jones before she suffered a stroke
-Credit: (Image: Irwin Mitchell/SWNS)


A young woman has told how she suffered a stroke after being prescribed the contraceptive pill. Danielle Jones went to her GP when she began suffering intense headaches, nausea and sensitivity to light.

She also complained of suffering visual disturbances, known as aura, during the appointment in October 2020. Aura is a key sign that a patient is at risk from a stroke but doctors failed to cease her medication despite the worrying symptoms.

Six months later, the then 25-year-old Danielle began complaining of pins and needles and loss of sensation down her left side. She collapsed on April 4, 2021, and was rushed to hospital where CT and MRI scans revealed she had suffered a stroke.

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Following her diagnosis, Danielle instructed medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care. The GP practice, through NHS Resolution, admitted there had been “a failure to cease” Danielle’s combined contraceptive pill.

It also admitted that had the pill been stopped, Danielle’s stroke “would have been avoided” adding it was “very sorry for the shortcomings in care provided.”

Danielle pictured after her stroke
Danielle pictured after her stroke -Credit:Danielle Jones before she suffered a stroke

Under UK Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use guidelines, a migraine with aura at any age of a person taking the pill was classed as a category four incident – the highest rating. This means that it “represents an unacceptable health risk and should not be prescribed.”

The GP practice apologised for the “error”, saying it was “committed to learning, improving the quality of care and reducing the risk of this type of incident happening again.”

Danielle, from Rugeley, Staffordshire, said: "I’d never heard of anyone having a stroke at my age, so it came as a huge shock when I was told what had happened and it took a long time for me to comprehend what it could mean for my future.

“I had always enjoyed working out and seeing friends, but after the stroke I found it a lot tougher. Some days, I even struggle to just get out of the house and my mental health has really dipped as a result.

“I’m so thankful for the support I’ve had, but to this day I still wonder how different things would have been if my pill had have been stopped when it should have been. Sadly, I can’t change anything, but I wanted to share my story and the signs to look out for."

Danielle, who is now 29, continued: "Not for one minute did I ever think my contraceptive pill could lead to a stroke, so I’m sure there are others out there also unaware. While I know I’ll never fully be the same as I was before the stroke, all I want now is to get back to living my life as best I can."

Danielle’s lawyer, Tom Fletcher, added: “The past three-and-a-half years have been incredibly difficult for Danielle as she tries to come to terms with having had a stroke at such a young age and how this has impacted her life.

“While nothing will ever change what she’s been through, we welcome the GP practice’s admission and confirmation that it intends to learn lessons from what happened. We’re now working with the practice to reach a settlement which will ensure Danielle receives the specialist care and support she needs to maximise her recovery.

“In the meantime, her story outlines the devastating consequences of stroke and how it’s vital that patient safety is improved to help prevent others from suffering like Danielle. Danielle’s case, in particular, highlights the importance of patients being under a doctor’s care when it comes to the contraceptive pill.

“It’s now readily available on the high street, with people able to pick it up from their local chemist, and there’s a potential for this to cause issues for those taking it if they aren’t appropriately monitored.”

Before suffering a stroke, Danielle worked as business development executive and went to the gym twice-a-week and enjoyed socialising with friends. Since her stroke, Danielle suffers fatigue and memory problems as well as physical problems.

She is engaged and relies heavily on her fiancé, Stuart, 29, and parents, Mark and Kerry, aged 60 and 56, for support. The main symptoms of a stroke can include a drooping face, arm weakness, slurred speech, confusion and migraines.