New contraception pill that’s safer for women hits the market

A NEW generation contraceptive pill that poses no blood clot risk and can be used by almost all women, including those who are breastfeeding or have high-blood pressure, will be available in Australia from next week.

Slinda is a progestogenonly pill that may also help women who suffer from oestrogen-related headaches.

Half of all Australian women prescribed contraception are using pills that combine oestrogen and progestogen and between five and 12 women in every 10,000 who use them will develop blood clots from the drugs.

A large number of women – including those who suffer migraine with aura and those who are overweight or who have high blood pressure – can’t take the combined contraceptive pill. This new progestogen-only pill “would certainly be a safer option for them,” University of NSW Sexual Health Physician Dr Terri Foran said.

It would also work for women aged over 51 who require contraception for 12 months after they enter menopause but for whom oestrogen is risky.

The pill prevents pregnancy by thickening mucus around the cervix to prevent sperm entry, thins the lining of the uterus and stops the release of a woman’s eggs, Family Planning NSW medical director Dr Deborah Bateson said.

Currently available progestogen-only “mini-pills” have a three-hour window to take a catch-up dose if you forget to take it.

Not so with this new pill. “While the goal is not to miss a dose of the pill, if you do with Slinda you have 24 hours to take it, which is comparable to the dosing time frame for most combined oral contraceptives,” University of Sydney obstetrician and Gynaecologist Professor Rodney Baber said.

It also has another advantage – many women will cease having monthly periods when they use it.

With Slinda “the bleeding tends to get less and less over time, so that by the end of about 12 months, about 50 per cent of women had no bleeding,” Dr Foran said.

The new drug is not subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the private prescription costs $30 per month. Side effects include increased risk of acne, abnormal bleeding, headache and breast pain, Dr Bateson said, and women should speak with their doctors.