Los Angeles Times Examines Expanding Birth Control Options In U.S.

The Los Angeles Times on Monday examined the recent expansion of birth control options in the U.S., including oral contraceptives that can reduce or eliminate monthly menstrual periods. FDA earlier this year approved the oral contraceptives YAZ and Loestrin 24 Fe, which are taken once a day for 24 days followed by four days of placebo pills to induce a menstrual period (Roan, Los Angeles Times, 7/10). Most oral contraceptives are taken for 21 consecutive days followed by seven days of placebo pills. Loestrin is manufactured by Warner Chilcott, and Berlex, a subsidiary of Schering, produces YAZ (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 3/30). FDA also is considering an application to approve the continuous daily oral contraceptive Lybrel and a new contraceptive implant Implanon, which is a single rod placed under the skin of the arm that can prevent pregnancy for three years. According to the Times, the "shift to continuous-use oral contraceptives acknowledges a little known fact: Women don't need to have periods." Some public health experts say taking oral contraceptives daily with no break is safe, will not effect fertility and will not be harmful to fetuses if taken early during a pregnancy. However, some public health experts say there is little data on continuous-use oral contraceptives, the Times reports. According to the Times, the "level of hormones in birth control pills has dropped dramatically in the last two decades." As a result, taking an active pill 365 days a year is considered safe, according to David Portman, director of the Columbus, Ohio, Center for Women's Health Research. Still, researchers continue to study how to reduce the risks associated with hormonal contraceptives, including blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, liver disease and cancers of the breast or sex organs (Los Angeles Times, 7/10).


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