Women Report Higher Satisfaction with Contraception that Extends Time Between Periods, Teva Study Finds
AMSTERDAM, March 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. today announced new data that shows women who use extended-cycle oral contraception, designed to extend the time between periods, report higher satisfaction and less heavy bleeding than those on monthly-cycle oral contraception (approximately three weeks of hormones followed by a short period without).[1] Findings from the study, sponsored by Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe, were presented at the 17th World Congress of the Academy of Human Reproduction (WCAHR) last week in Rome.
The study, entitled: "Treatment satisfaction, adherence and menstrual symptoms among women in the United States using extended-cycle and monthly-cycle oral contraception" involved 3,800 women in the United States and assessed their perception of monthly versus extended-cycle oral contraceptives. The study showed that women using extended-cycle oral contraception reported higher treatment satisfaction, less heavy bleeding and were less likely to miss pills, known as non-adherence, than women on monthly-cycle oral contraceptive.[1] The monthly-cycle oral contraceptive regimen dates back to the late 1950s, and was designed to mimic the monthly bleeding cycle in a bid to make the pill more acceptable.
[2],[3] However, there is no medical need for women on the pill to bleed every month.[4]
Professor Rossella Nappi from the University of Pavia (Italy), who led the study, said: "Our analysis further builds upon the growing body of evidence that contraception options, which allow women to consider how and when they menstruate, is associated with increased birth control satisfaction. Our initial analysis also suggests extended-cycle contraception reduces menstrual pain, and we look forward to further exploring this in future studies."
The study data presented in Rome was drawn from the National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS) - the largest global self-reported general population survey in the healthcare industry - and follows earlier data presented in 2016, which compared views of women on monthly-cycle oral contraceptives in both the United States and the European Union.
Dr Rainel Sanchez de la Rosa, Senior Medical Director Women's Health, Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe said: "As a partner in women's health, Teva aims to understand the real-life impact our innovations have on women's lives. The new data presented last week in Rome complements the findings in our 2016 data, which indicated women on monthly-cycle oral contraceptives - whether in the US or Europe - experienced similar levels of menstrual symptoms, treatment satisfaction and adherence. We're pleased to see how positively the extended-cycle innovation is being received by women in the US, and it may suggest European women would experience similar levels of satisfaction on extended-cycle contraception."
Extended-cycle oral contraceptives can extend the time between periods, while still providing reassurance to a woman that she isn't pregnant.[5] Every woman's health journey is unique, and Teva aims to support women at each stage of that journey. Women who want a contraceptive option which can also enable fewer, lighter periods - either because they want to reduce period-associated symptoms, or simply as a personal choice - can talk to their doctor to discuss the available options. Extended-cycle oral contraceptives are now available in Europe.
National Health and Wellness Survey
The National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS) is the largest global self-reported general population survey in the healthcare industry, with annual survey responses dating back to 1998 in the US and 2000 in Europe. The NHWS covers a broad range of healthcare topics relating to patients' attitudes, behaviours, characteristics and demographics. The 2013 survey collected responses from over 75,000 adults in the US and 62,000 in Europe with more than 165 conditions.
Teva in Women's Health
Teva recognises that women's healthcare needs form part of a life-long journey. That's why Teva's mission is to improve the quality of care and quality of life for women of all ages. Teva offers a broad portfolio of products and solutions, which includes innovative contraceptives, as well as treatments for menopause, osteoporosis, and fertility, providing women with access to a range of options to support their healthcare needs. In Europe, Teva's presence in women's healthcare is fast growing, and the company has established itself as a top player in several key markets, including Belgium, the Baltic States, Croatia, France, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Romania and Switzerland, while expanding its presence in other markets across Europe.
About Teva
Teva is among the top 15 global pharmaceutical companies globally, delivering high-quality, patient-centric healthcare solutions used by approximately 200 million patients in 100 markets every day. Teva produces a leading innovative treatment for multiple sclerosis and has late-stage development programs for a range of disorders of the central nervous system, including movement disorders, migraine, pain and neurodegenerative conditions. With its European headquarters in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Teva is the world's largest generic medicines producer, leveraging its portfolio of more than 1,800 molecules to produce a broad range of products in nearly every therapeutic area. Teva draws on its specialty and generics capabilities to seek new ways of addressing unmet patient needs by combining drug development with devices, services and technologies. Teva's net revenues in 2016 were $21.9 billion. For more information, visit http://www.tevapharm.com.
1. Nappi RE, et al. Treatment satisfaction, adherence, and menstrual symptoms among women in the United States using extended-cycle and monthly-cycle oral contraception (Abstract number 5856). Presented at the 17th World Congress of the Academy of Human Reproduction. March 15-18, 2017, Rome.
2. Sulak PJ. Continuous oral contraception: changing times. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2008;22(2):355-374.
3. Coutinho EM. To bleed or not to bleed, that is the question. Contraception. 2007;76(4):263-266.
4. Andrist LC, Hoyt A, Weinstein D, McGibbon C. The Need to Bleed: Women's Attitudes and Beliefs About Menstrual Suppression, Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. 2004;16(1):32-38.
5. Anderson FD, Gibbons W, Portman D. Safety and efficacy of an extended-regimen oral contraceptive utilizing continuous low-dose ethinyl estradiol. Contraception. 2006;73(3):229-234.
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