
In recent years a groundbreaking new study has been released into the effects of the contraceptive pill. Research from Denmark claimed women on the pill and other forms of hormonal contraception were 70% more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who were not. And another study has found hormonal contraception was linked to a seemingly dramatic risk of breast cancer.\n\nNegative headlines are nothing new for the contraceptive pill - first introduced in 1961, it has had a chequered history with early versions linked to cancer risk and life-threatening blood clots. Yet hormonal contraception remains Britain's most popular form of birth control, and today over three million women take regular doses of synthetic hormones. So should they be worried about its safety?\n\nGP Dr Zoe Williams gets behind the headlines in this Horizon investigation. A specially commissioned, nationwide survey reveals the areas of most concern to British women - from mental health to the risk of cancer and drop in libido. With the help of world leading scientists, Zoe finds out if these concerns are justified and by delving deep into the science around the pills side effects Horizon uncovers some striking revelations - from protecting women against cancer to increasing their risk of suicide.
Source: BBC 2
1997-1998: Mir Mortals
First transmitted in 1998, this is the story of four men who orbited Earth on board the ill-fated Mir space station, which NASA declared unsafe in 1991. Although Mir had been li ...
10-02-2026
BBC 2
2022: How To Sleep Well With Michael Mosley
A third of the population regularly struggle with our sleep, which rose to one in two during the pandemic - the highest it’s ever been. However, as more and more people se ...
07-01-2026
BBC 2
2020: Hubble: The Wonders Of Space Revealed
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of its launch, this film tells the remarkable story of how Hubble revealed the awe and wonder of our universe and how a team of daring astronau ...
24-04-2025
BBC 2
2020: What's The Matter With Tony Slattery?
Tony Slattery was one of the most gifted TV comedians of the late 80s and early 90s. One of the Cambridge Footlight set that included Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson, ...
10-02-2025
BBC 2
Life Story: A Horizon Special
It's 1951. There's a race on, and two of the brightest and brashest young men in Cambridge are determined to win it. The prize is glittering. Eternal fame, glory and almost cert ...
11-12-2024
BBC 2
2018: 9. Body Clock: What Makes Us Tick?
We all have a biological clock ticking away inside us that governs our daily rhythms. This affects our health as much as our diet and whether we exercise. So what can we do to m ...
04-02-2020
BBC 2
1997-1998: Mir Mortals
First transmitted in 1998, this is the story of four men who orbited Earth on board the ill-fated Mir space station, which NASA declared unsafe in 1991. Although Mir had been li ...
10-02-2026
BBC 2
2021: 1. Horizon Special: The Vaccine
The extraordinary inside story of the biggest scientific challenge of our age – following a small band of vaccine scientists around the world who took on Covid-19 and ulti ...
07-07-2021
BBC 2
The U00a310 Million Challenge
Series exploring topical scientific issues. To celebrate its 50th birthday, Horizon invites the public to play a role in tackling the greatest challenges facing science today.
11-06-2014
BBC 2
2014-2015 - Inside The Dark Web
Series exploring topical scientific issues. With many concerned about internet surveillance, Horizon meets the hackers and scientists whose technology is fighting back.
03-09-2014
BBC 2
2013-2014 - Where Is Flight Mh370?
Horizon tells the inside story of the search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, with access to the key players on the frontline in the southern Indian Ocean.
11-07-2014
BBC 2
2011-2012 - The Core
For centuries people have dreamt of reaching the centre of the Earth. Now scientists are uncovering a bizarre and alien world that lies 4,000 miles beneath our feet.
31-05-2018
BBC 2