Women who suffered blood clots linked to contraceptive pill share their stories

ITV News has been highlighting the rare but serious risks linked to taking the combined contraceptive pill.

One of these potentially life-threatening risks is developing blood clots.

Doctors and nurses often do not spot the symptoms of blood clots related to taking the pill - mistaking them for other health conditions.

The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) has pledged to remind all GPs to be alert to the risks.

ITV News has been speaking to two viewers who say they were lucky to survive after suffering blood clots.

Alex was 15 years old and still at school when she began to have difficulty with her breathing.

Her doctor diagnosed her with a chest infection and sent her home. But over the next two days her condition worsened.

Alex went to the GP again but was sent home. After this, her mother insisted she went to A&E and the blood clot was eventually picked up.

Vicky had woken up with severe pains in her chest and went straight to A&E.

She was diagnosed with a blood clot on the lungs, linked to the contraceptive pill she was taking.

She thinks that it easy to mistake the symptoms for something else.

Vicky was due to go on holiday a few days after she was diagnosed - and was glad that doctors picked up the blood clot when they did.

Both young women said they weren't made aware of the risks of blood clots and DVT when they were prescribed the pill.

The risks of developing a blood clot are low, but they still exist.

The combined pill contains the female hormone oestrogen, which can cause clotting of the blood more readily, resulting in blood clots

Many other young women have been in touch with ITV News sharing their stories.

You can share your own experiences on our Facebook page or tweet us your comments.