Dianette is a contraceptive pill that is often prescribed to women to treat acne.

It is banned in some parts of Europe and has been linked to the death of seven British women. Six of the deaths were attributed to blood clots and one to a fall.

Dianette is prescribed to more than 62,000 British women a year, usually for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

In Britain there have been more than 80 reports of women suffering side effects such as hair loss and depression after taking it.

Last year France suspended use of the pill while European Medicines Agency investigated its side effects.

Although I strongly advocate that this pill should be banned entirely, as side effects only occur in some users I feel that its distribution should be limited and any side effects carefully monitored at the very least.

I took the pill for over a year and as a result I experienced crippling depression, attempted suicides, anorexia and an addiction to self harm. It also gave me abdominal cramps which have now left me unable to feel my stomach - I can no longer tell if I'm hungry or when I'm full. 

This pill destroyed part of my life and almost took all of it. It has taken others' lives, such as 17 year old Jessica Eales (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2803231/Teenage-sailor-hanged-day-17th-birthday-taking-controversial-acne-drug-linked-depression.html) and it was reading this article and realising that I am not alone that has made me start this petition.

Please 'yellow flag' this drug, please tell GPs to prescribe it only as a last option, please warn people of the side effects.

DO NOT LET DIANETTE TAKE ANOTHER LIFE.