Contraceptive pill linked to death of Newport woman, 23

The family of Charlotte Grace Foster today described her as an "intelligent, beautiful, and caring young lady". Miss Foster died from what doctors believe was a blood clot caused by taking the pill.

An inquest into her death has been opened and adjourned at Shirehall in Shrewsbury.

In a statement, Miss Foster's family led by parents Stephen and Cecilia said they had been left heartbroken.

They said: "We are devastated at the sudden and unexpected loss of a very much loved daughter, sister, and granddaughter.

"Charlotte was a lively, intelligent, beautiful, and caring young lady who will be deeply missed by her family, friends and work colleagues."

Shropshire Coroner, John Ellery, heard that Miss Foster died at Princess Royal Hospital in Telford on January 25.

Mr Ellery was told that Miss Foster, of Trinity Mews, had been prescribed with the contraceptive pill Dianette by her GP.

In a statement read at the inquest opening, coroner's officer Julie Hartridge said doctors believe Miss Foster had died from a blood clot on the lung.

She said Doctor Nigel Tuft, a consultant anaesthetist at PRH, had given Miss Foster's cause of death as hypoxic brain damage as a result of a pulmonary embolism, caused by the oral contraceptive pill.

A full inquest, to be held later this year, will look at the reasons behind Miss Foster's death in more detail.

Miss Foster, who was a customer category executive at Muller, had previously studied at the University of Liverpool.

Deaths linked to the contraceptive pill are very rare. NHS guidance does advise about the potential risks of the combined pill but states that they are "small and, for most women, the benefits of the pill outweigh the risks".

Guidelines warn that the oestrogen in the pill can cause blood to clot more readily.

If blood clots develop they can cause deep vein thrombosis, a clot in the leg, pulmonary embolus, a clot in the lung, a stroke or a heart attack.

Earlier this month an inquest in Blackburn heard the pill had been a "contributory factor" in the death of a 16-year-old girl from Accrington. Sophie Murray became ill in September, complaining of chest pains and a shortness of breath that prevented her from walking up stairs.

The coroner was told that the teenager had been on the contraceptive pill Microgynon, and that one of the listed side effects of it was linked to an increased risk of thrombosis, or blood clots. Deputy Blackburn coroner Derek Baker recorded a verdict that the 16-year-old died from "pulmonary embolism as a result of deep vein thrombosis."

A full inquest into Miss Foster's death will take place in Shrewsbury on April 26.