More than three quarters of current hormonal contraceptive users have
concerns about their current birth control method
KENILWORTH, N.J., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Women's feelings
and behaviors concerning contraception are conflicted, yet many don't seek
out methods that could better satisfy their needs, according to a new
survey conducted on behalf of Schering-Plough by Harris Interactive(R). In
the survey, "Contraceptive Habits," a small percentage of women (six
percent) said they worry most about the possibility of getting pregnant
when it comes to sex, yet 46 percent of women using birth control say they
often feel relieved to get their periods if they've been sexually active.
One in five women (21 percent) who currently use, or have previously used,
hormonal contraceptives say they have difficulty remembering to use their
birth control sometimes. Yet 75 percent of these same women say they never
sacrifice spontaneity due to their birth control method.
"With more than half of all unintended pregnancies in the United States
occurring among couples who used some type of birth control, it's very
troubling that the majority of women are not confident in their
contraceptive methods," said Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical professor of
obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine. "It only
takes one birth control slip up to get pregnant, and if women are not
feeling confident in their current method, they should express their
concerns with their healthcare providers to find an option that suits them
better."
Findings from the survey include:
Seventy-nine percent of current hormonal contraceptive users have
concerns about their current birth control method. Despite these concerns,
39 percent have stayed with their chosen method for five or more years.
Sixty-two percent of women who currently use a hormonal contraceptive
report that having sex increases stress levels when they've not used their
birth control correctly. Yet, when it comes to sex, women using birth
control say they worry more about their own or their partner's satisfaction
(29 percent) and body image (24 percent) than pregnancy (10 percent) or
contracting a sexually-transmitted disease (8 percent).
Twenty-three percent of 18 to 34-year-old women say daily birth control
would be most convenient for them, yet 46 percent of women in the same age
group who currently use a hormonal contraceptive have more difficulty
remembering to use their current method correctly when their daily routine
is interrupted.
Of women aged 18 to 34 who currently use birth control, 80 percent use
contraception primarily to prevent pregnancy. However, 93 percent of women
aged 18 to 34 (both on and off birth control) do not know that half of
unintended pregnancies in the United States occur with couples that used
some method of birth control.
Another revelation highlighted in the survey data is the degree to
which women seek input from people in their lives -- from physicians to
their partners, friends and family -- when making decisions about birth
control. Sixty-two percent of women indicated they discuss birth control
with a potential partner. Women of all ages who currently use, or have
previously used hormonal contraceptives, reported that a physician's
recommendation was among the top five attributes that are most important to
them in choosing a birth control method.
"The findings from this survey signal that while we may be living at a
time when women have many contraceptive options and are empowered to make
their own informed decisions, many are either dissatisfied with or have
concerns about their method," says Dr. Minkin. "Overall, this is a wake-up
call for women to evaluate how happy they really are with their current
method and recognize that they don't have to settle for the status quo when
it comes to birth control options."
For complete survey results, visit http://www.contraceptivehabits.com.
About the Survey
Harris Interactive, on behalf of Schering-Plough, conducted an online
survey within the U.S. among 1,302 women ages 18 and over between July 7
and July 9, 2008, (percentages for some questions are based on a subset of
respondents, based on their responses to certain questions). Respondents
for the survey were selected from among those who have agreed to
participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to
reflect the composition of the U.S. adult female population. Because the
sample is based on those who agreed to be invited to participate in the
Harris Interactive online research panel, no estimates of theoretical
sampling error can be calculated.
About Mary Jane Minkin, M.D.
Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., is a clinical professor of obstetrics and
gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine and has a private practice
in New Haven, Connecticut. Dr. Minkin is co-author, with Carol Wright, of
"A Woman's Guide to Menopause and Perimenopause" and "The Yale Guide to
Women's Reproductive Health." Dr. Minkin is lead author and co-author of
articles in numerous peer-reviewed journals, and she also advises and gives
lectures to the menopause support group PRIME PLUS/Red Hot Mamas.
About Harris Interactive(R)
Harris Interactive is a global leader in custom market research. With a
long and rich history in multimodal research that is powered by our science
and technology, we assist clients in achieving business results. Harris
Interactive serves clients globally through our North American, European
and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms. For
more information, please visit http://www.harrisinteractive.com.
About Schering-Plough
Schering-Plough is an innovation-driven, science-centered global health
care company. Through its own biopharmaceutical research and collaborations
with partners, Schering-Plough creates therapies that help save and improve
lives around the world. The company applies its research-and-development
platform to human prescription and consumer products as well as to animal
health products. Schering-Plough's vision is to Earn Trust, Every Day with
the doctors, patients, customers and other stakeholders served by its
colleagues around the world. The company is based in Kenilworth, N.J., and
its Web site is http://www.schering-plough.com.
SOURCE Schering-Plough
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Related links:
http://www.contraceptivehabits.com/
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/
http://www.schering-plough.com/
CONTACT:
Media: Lisa Ellen, +1-908-298-7128;
Investors: Janet Barth or Joe Romanelli, all of Schering-Plough
Corp., +1-908-2989-7436
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