Few women use the progestogen-only pill and if they do so it is predominantly on their doctor's recommendation or because they are breast-feeding, according to new research showing that while 38% of women of reproductive age use the combined pill only 2 % use the progestogen-only pill. [1] But family planning experts say more women could stand to benefit from Cerazette(R) - the estrogen-free oral contraceptive that is as reliable and easy-to-use as the combined Pill.

Although the traditional progestogen-only pill does not contain estrogen making it a good option for women who do not want, cannot or should not take estrogens, its lower reliability and more stringent tablet-taking regime limit its appeal and use. [2]

However, Cerazette - the estrogen-free pill - provides women with an alternative choice in oral contraception. Like the combined pill, Cerazette works mainly by inhibiting ovulation (egg release) and it has a 12-hour missed pill intake window in case of accidental delay meaning that it is as reliable and as easy-to-use. However, in contrast to the combined pill it is free of estrogen and therefore estrogen-related adverse events. Cerazette is also taken every day of the month and is associated with less predictable and more variable menstrual bleeding patterns than the combined pill.

Professor Dr. Hans-Joachim Ahrendt, gynecologist, Magdeburg, Germany commented: "Most women essentially think in terms of one type of oral contraception available to them - the combined pill. The research suggests that they really only get introduced to the traditional progestogen-only pill if they are breast-feeding or have contraindications to estrogen.

"However, Cerazette has significantly changed women's oral contraceptive options. It offers some of the most important advantages - high reliability and ease-of-use - of the combined pill with the most important advantage of the traditional progestogen-only pill - the absence of estrogen. And because of the high reliability women can even continue with Cerazette after stopping breastfeeding. As a result, women have greater pill choice than they think. They are able to make a meaningful choice between whether the combined pill is the

best option for them or whether the estrogen-free pill may better suit their needs." About Organon

Organon - with shared head offices in Roseland, NJ, USA and Oss, The Netherlands - creates, manufactures and markets prescription medicines that improve the health and quality of human life. Through a combination of independent growth and business partnerships, Organon strives to remain or become one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in each of its core therapeutic fields: gynecology, fertility, neuroscience and anesthesia. Organon products are sold in over 100 countries, of which more than 60 have an Organon subsidiary. Organon is the human health care business unit of Akzo Nobel. For further information, please visit http://www.organon.com

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NOTES
1. Findings from the Contraceptive Confidence and Consequences Survey. TNS NIPO 2005
2. Progestogen only pills rely on thickening cervical mucus as they do not consistently inhibit ovulation. As a result, they are slightly less reliable than the combined pill and must be taken within three hours of the normal tablet-taking time to ensure contraceptive protection.

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