New Birth Control Method Available: Lunelle

A new contraceptive option has been added to the list of choices for women: Lunelle, a monthly intramuscular injection of progestin and estradiol. For women with regular periods, the shot should be given within 5 days of menses each month to block ovulation. A recent study of 1,103 women compared the effectiveness of Lunelle versus a commonly used oral contraceptive pill. While there were no unintended pregnancies among the women who received the Lunelle injection, there were 2 unintended pregnancies among the women who took the Pill. As this study showed, compliance problems are reduced in women taking a monthly injection compared to women taking a daily Pill.

As with the Pill, Lunelle is not recommended for women who are heavy smokers or who are at risk for blood clots, coronary artery disease or stroke. It is also not recommended for women with uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure.

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Created: 1/12/2001  -  Donnica Moore, M.D.