A 27-year-old mother from Nottinghamshire has claimed that a contraceptive pill caused damage to her liver, leading to an 11-day hospital stay. Laura Hutchinson switched to Rigevidon in September 2018 after years of using the Depo-Provera injection. Within a month, she developed severe itching, yellowing of the eyes, and feverish symptoms.
Doctors were initially mystified by her condition. A liver biopsy in November confirmed organ damage, which Ms Hutchinson was told could be linked to the pill. She said: 'The doctor told me that these problems had been down to the Rigevidon pills I had taken. I was also told that this has caused damage to my liver and it will not be fully recovered by the end of this year.'
Ms Hutchinson, who has been unable to work for four months, switched to the pill because she believed it would allow her to conceive more quickly than the injection when she planned to have another child. Her symptoms began in October 2018 with intense itching, and she was advised by her GP to go to Bassetlaw Hospital in Worksop for blood tests.
Her condition worsened, with dark urine and jaundice-like symptoms including abdominal pain and fatigue. She suspected cirrhosis of the liver, but tests for hepatitis and pregnancy were negative. She said: 'It was very frustrating, and I kept demanding answers but the doctors said it was a complete mystery.'
The case adds to growing concerns about Rigevidon, a controversial contraceptive pill. However, research has shown mixed results on the side effects of hormonal contraception. A 2017 study found no increased risk of depression, while another study linked the pill to mood swings and fatigue.
