A newly released Dutch study found that third-generation birth control pills carry a smaller risk of contributing to heart disease than their predecessor, second-generation oral contraceptives. The study of nearly 2,000 women found that second-generation users increased their chances of developing cardiovascular disease by roughly three times. Third-generation pills, however, did not increase the risk of heart failure.

Doctors note that third-generation pills have been linked to other illnesses. A recent lawsuit filed in Great Britain claims that third-generation pills may cause pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), blood clots, paralysis, paradoxical embolism, stroke, and even death.