Impact of the 2013 French Pill Crisis on Women's Behaviour Regarding Contraception.

Context: In the last decade, several epidemiological studies have shown the increased risk of venous thromboembolism associated with third- and fourth-generation oral contraceptives (C3Gs and C4Gs) versus older combined first- and second-generation oral contraceptives (C1Gs and C2Gs). In France, in December 2012, a lawsuit filed against the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) by a patient who had experienced a stroke, possibly due to the use of a C3G, triggered a national 'pill crisis'. Consequently, a 'crisis cell' was set up and pre-existing health recommendations were reinforced.