Women Worried About Forgetting Can Now Choose a Minipill With a Longer 'Missed Pill Window'

Cerazette the first progestogen-only pill to remain effective if taken within 12 hours of usual time.    This is the first time that a progestogen only contraceptive pill has been found to remain effective even if a woman forgets to take it for up to 12 hours after the usual dose time[1]. All other POPs should be taken within three hours of the usual time to remain effective[2].

Poor compliance is a significant factor in unintended pregnancies amongst women taking the pill[3]. This greater reassurance for women who are unable or unwilling to take a pill containing oestrogen improves the likelihood of compliance, which may, in turn, reduce their risk of unintended pregnancy.

Cerazette(R) remains effective if taken up to 12 hours after the usual time as it is the only POP to work by primarily inhibiting ovulation (preventing an egg being released from the ovary) and additionally by thickening cervical mucus to impede the penetration of sperm. All other POPs rely on thickening cervical mucus as they do not consistently inhibit ovulation. The primary mode of action of the other type of contraceptive pill (containing progestogen plus oestrogen), known as the combined pill, is inhibition of ovulation, the most effective mechanism to prevent pregnancy[4].

Dr Szarewski added: "Many women are unaware that contraceptive pills are not all the same. This new development for Cerazette(R) reinforces the need to highlight the differences and options available."

The announcement coincides with a MORI poll finding that nearly half (43%) of women on the pill do not know which type they are taking and only half agree that they have enough information to make an informed decision about the pill they should take[5].

References

[1] SPC

[2] www.fpa.org.uk

[3] Rosenberg MJ, Waugh MS, Long S. Unintended pregnancies and use, misuse and discontinuation of oral contraceptives. J Reprod Med. 1995 May;40(5):355-60.

[4] Korver T et al. Collaborative study group on the desogestrel - containing progestogen-only pill. Eur J Contracept Reproduct Health Care 1998; 3: 169-178

[5] The Brook Contraceptive Pill Study, MORI Social Research Institute June 2004

MORI Social Research Institute Contraceptive Pill Study Shows Nearly Half of Women on the Pill are Not Sure Which Type of Pill They are Taking - Increasing the Potential for Unplanned Pregnancies

New MORI Social Research Institute contraceptive pill research has revealed that two out of five women (43%) on the pill, are not sure which pill type they are actually taking. The two types of pill available are combined oral contraceptives (containing oestrogen and progestogen), commonly referred to as COCs, and progestogen-only pills (POPs), sometimes termed 'the mini-pill'.

The lack of awareness raises a concern that women do not realise when they are on a POP that it needs to be taken within 3 hours of the specified time to remain effective, whereas COCs have a longer 12-hour 'forgotten pill' window. This is due to their different modes of action for preventing pregnancy.

The poll shows that women are most likely to choose the pill for its effectiveness at preventing pregnancy but that they are largely unaware of the differing modes of action of the pill types for achieving this.

Under half of women taking the pill feel that they are given adequate choice in their selection of contraceptive pill and only half feel they have enough information about the pill options open to them.

Brook, the specialist young people's sexual health service, has voiced concern on the potential implications of the findings. As Dr Gillian Vanhegan, Brook Medical Spokesperson, says,

"If women are not actually sure which pill they are taking, it is possible that they may not be fully conversant with the dosing instructions.  The vast majority of unplanned pregnancies in women taking the pill are a result of forgetting to take it on time. If, for example, someone is taking a traditional POP and they are not aware of how stringently they need to adhere to the dosing schedule they are putting themselves at risk of an unplanned pregnancy every time they miss the dose by three hours or more, unless they also use condoms."

She adds,"Traditional progestogen-only pills work by thickening cervical mucus to deter sperm penetration, whereas the combined pill works by inhibiting ovulation, which can be considered a more reliable mode of action for preventing pregnancy. Women need to be made fully aware of the best pill option for them. If anyone has any concerns about the pill they are taking they should talk this over with their GP, family planning provider or a Brook centre. Young women up the age of 25 can also call our helpline on +44 (0)800 0185023 or visit www.brook.org.uk"

About the MORI Contraceptive Pill Study

The MORI Study was conducted among a representative sample of 682 womenm aged 16-55 to assess their awareness levels of progestogen-only and combined pills. Interviews were conducted face-to-face, in respondents homes, between 31 December 2003 and 4 January 2004 across the UK . The study was commissioned by Organon Laboratories.

(25/6/04)