A 19-year-old woman from Bolton died from a blood clot linked to the contraceptive pill after mistaking her headache for a hangover. Áine Rose Hurst collapsed and was rushed to Royal Bolton Hospital on March 11, where doctors discovered severe brain swelling. She died two days later.
An inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court on November 27 heard that her death was caused by cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, with the combined contraceptive pill Femodette as a potential contributing factor. Áine had been on the pill since 2020. A routine check in December 2024 revealed high blood pressure (140/93), and she was told to stop taking the pill. However, after a GP appointment in January 2025, she was advised to resume it.
Áine's mother, Kerry Hurst, said her daughter complained of a headache after a night out on March 8. Believing it was a hangover, she advised paracetamol and water, but the headache worsened. The family expressed deep concern that the GP did not consider her recent high blood pressure history. Dr Moyinoluwa Onayade, the GP, said he discussed switching to a progesterone-only pill, but Áine declined due to side effects. He noted her blood pressure had normalised and that not being on the pill for over four weeks could increase stroke risk. Coroner Peter Sigee noted that while hindsight may make things obvious, the question was whether it was obvious at the time.
