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7/12/2005
More Than 40 Percent Surveyed Believe Female Sterilization Never
Fails Yet It Can
Montville,
NJ--(HISPANIC PR WIRE)--July 12, 2005--A new national survey of
274 Hispanic women between the ages of 25 49, conducted by International
Communications Research (ICR) in February and March 2005,(1)
reveals gaps in knowledge about female sterilization, the most
widely used family planning method among women ages 35 44
and among married and formerly married women in the U.S.(2) The
survey reveals that a high percentage of Hispanic women select
female sterilization for long-term birth control without being
informed of other long-term, reversible options.
Family is the heart and soul of the Latina community. That is
why it is important for women to understand all their family
planning options so they can make the choice that is best for
them. This survey clearly shows that more education is needed
about highly effective and removable long-term contraceptives
now available, said Diana Ramos, M.D., assistant professor,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of
Medicine, University of Southern California. For instance,
nearly 65 percent of Hispanic women surveyed are unaware of a
contraceptive option that is as effective as sterilization, yet
is easily removed if she wants to have another baby. That
alternative is Mirena, which is as effective as sterilization in
preventing pregnancy for up to five years without the
permanence or risks of surgery.
According to the survey, 42 percent of women believe that female
sterilization is 100 percent effective in preventing
pregnancy,(1a) but it is not (failure rate approximately five
pregnancies per 1000 users).(4)
Mirena was the contraceptive choice for Gaby Madrigal, a
clinical assistant at the University of Southern California and
the mother of a four-year-old child. As the mother of a young
child, and a full-time clinical assistant, I dont have time
to think about birth control. My doctor recommended Mirena, a
long-lasting birth control option that is just as effective as
sterilization, said Gaby. My husband and I have not decided
whether later well want more children, but with Mirena, we
still have that possibility, added Gaby.
Reversal
of Female Sterilization
While reversal may be possible in some instances, female
sterilization is considered to be a permanent method of birth
control by the medical community. Reversal requires complicated
surgery and future pregnancies cannot be guaranteed. In
addition, a number of women may not be able to pursue reversal
surgery because they do not have enough of their fallopian tubes
left in their reproductive tract as a result of certain
sterilization procedures. Whats more, reversal surgery is
costly and is not always covered by insurance.(5)
Many women are not aware that the success rate of reversing
sterilization is unpredictable, said Dr. Ramos. While
women cannot control what life changes may occur over time
pressures of work life and second marriages they can keep
some control of their ability to have children. Because of the
finality of the procedure, women who undergo sterilization
should assume they are relinquishing that ability.
The
Regret Factor
The fact is nobody can predict what the future may hold 43
percent of first marriages end in separation or divorce within
15 years, according to the National Center for Health
Statistics.(6) While there are approximately 12.3 million women
in the U.S. who are divorced, approximately 1.1 million of which
are Hispanic,(7) many of them eventually remarry and want to
have more children. Remarried women, women in new, committed
relationships or women who have delayed having children for
other reasons may wish to have children with their new partner.
According to a previous survey of the general population(3), one
in six women who were sterilized wish, at times, that they had
left their options open.(3a) Three-quarters of these women
regret their decision because they want to have a baby after
all, might want a baby in the future or got remarried and want a
baby with their new partner.(3b)
For those women who have undergone sterilization, however,
having more children may be a considerable challenge or
impossible.
To reduce the risk of regret, women who are considering
sterilization should speak with a healthcare provider for
counseling and to learn about alternative long-term
contraceptive options, said Dr. Ramos.
About Mirena(R) (Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system)
Mirena
gives women the ability to control their fertility by providing
up to five years of hassle-free birth control that is up to 99.9
percent effective without the permanence or cost of
sterilization surgery. In addition to providing effective
contraception, Mirena also offers additional therapeutic
benefits including a significant reduction of monthly menstrual
bleeding. In fact, after one year of use, Mirena results in a 90
percent reduction in menstrual bleeding for the vast majority of
users and approximately 20 percent of women using Mirena have no
bleeding at all. Mirena is appropriate for women who have had at
least one child, are in a stable, single-partner sexual
relationship.
Only a woman and her doctor can determine if intrauterine
contraception is right for her, but women with a history of or
at risk for pelvic inflammatory disease or ectopic pregnancy
should not use Mirena. Otherwise, most women who have had a
child are typically good candidates for Mirena. Side effects are
uncommon and may include missed menstrual periods, irregular
bleeding or spotting for the first 3-6 months, and most women
will experience lighter, shorter periods thereafter. Rarely,
some women experience a cyst on their ovaries. Mirena does not
protect against HIV (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted
diseases. For further details and full prescribing information,
please visit http://www.longtermbirthcontrol.com.
About
Berlex Inc.
Berlex is committed to addressing unmet medical needs through
research and development in the areas of oncology,
gastroenterology, women's health, diagnostics and neurology.
Berlex also markets diagnostic imaging agents, innovative
treatments in the areas of female health care and oncology, as
well as specialized therapeutics for life-threatening and
disabling diseases of the central nervous system and
cardiovascular system. Berlex has business operations in New
Jersey, California and Washington. For more information, please
visit http://www.berlex.com.
Certain statements in this press release that are neither
reported financial results nor other historical information are
forward-looking statements, including but not limited to,
statements that are predictions of or indicate future events,
trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed
on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to
known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by
other factors that could cause actual results and Berlex's plans
and objectives to differ materially from those expressed or
implied in the forward-looking statements. Berlex, Inc.
undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any of
these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new
information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.
The survey, conducted by International Communications
Research (ICR) based out of Media, Pennsylvania, polled 274
Hispanic and Latino women ages 25 to 49 years in the United
States. The random-sample survey was conducted via telephone
from February 15-March 2, 2005.
One year fertility rate the same as for women who had not been
using any form of birth control.
(1a) International Communications Research (ICR) study
conducted from February 15-March 2, 2005 including 274 Hispanic
and Latino women between the ages of 25 and 49 years in the
United States.
(2) Mosher, William D.,Ph.D; Martinez, Gladys M., Ph.D; Chandra,
Anjani, Ph.D; Abma, Joyce C., Ph.D; Willson, Stephanie J., Ph.D.
Use of Contraception and Use of Family Planning Services in the
United States: 1982-2002; Advance Data From Vital and Health
Statistics; number 350; December 10, 2004
(3a,b) International Communications Research (ICR) study
conducted from January 14-25, 2005 including approximately 400
women between the ages of 25 and 49 years in the United States.
(4)Trussell J. Contraceptive failure in the United States:
Contraception 70 (2004) 89-96.
(5) http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/medicalinfo/birthcontrol/pub-tubal-sterilization.
xml#1096372855599:-3433870888775950819
(6) National Survey of Family Growth, a nationally
representative sample of women age 15 to 44 in 1995. Bramlett,
Matthew and William Mosher. First marriage dissolution,
divorce, and remarriage: United States," Advance Data From
Vital and Health Statistics; No.323. Hyattsville MD: National
Center for Health Statistics: 2 1
(7) US Census Bureau. Marital Status by Sex, Unmarried-Partner
Households, and Grandparents as Caregivers, 2000.
Source:
Hispanic PR Wire
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