Ever since birth control pills came on the market, there's been a worry about side effects, especially life-threatening blood clots.

Some lifestyle choices increase that risk, including smoking. New pills come on the market, supposedly improvements on the old. But are they? An article from CBC News warns:

Some newer, low-dose birth control pills double the risk of potentially dangerous blood clots compared with older contraceptives and should be banned, a U.S. consumer group says.

The birth control patch, manufactured by Orth Evra, is no better. The Youhavealawyer blog states:

Since Ortho Evra was introduced, it remains the only transdermal contraceptive patch. Studies have shown that the risk of developing potentially fatal blood clots and suffering other adverse events is significantly increased with use of Ortho Evra compared with traditional birth control pills.

Research continues, and hopefully, someday in the not too distant future, women will be able to take a pill that's relatively safe and effective.