New contraceptive promises help with heavy menstrual bleeding

THE Qlaira contraceptive, which aids in the reduction of heavy menstrual bleeding, has been officially introduced in Jamaica.

Launched in Europe in 2009, Qlaira is the first oral contraceptive which uses natural estradiol — the most potent of the naturally occurring oestrogens. The drug, which received US Food and Drug Administration approval in 2009, was approved for use among women between the ages of 18 and 50 years, and is beneficial for women from menarche (the first occurrence of menstruation) to perimenopause.

“Apart from contraceptive benefits, there are non-contraceptive benefits and Qlaira is the only approved contraceptive for heavy menstrual bleeding, the most common complaint with abnormal uterine bleeding,” Guatemala-based obstetrician and gynaecologist practitioner Dr Abner Santos said.

“In a clinical trial, about 20 per cent of women taking Qlaira have no withdrawal bleed, which may be advantageous for many.”

The findings were made public on July 10 at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston, during a special industry engagement for Qlaira, organised by Bayer Healthcare — manufacturers — and LASCO Distributors Limited, a local distributor of Bayer brands.

According to Bayer, Qlaira was approved against the background of results of trials involving over 2,000 women, which show that it is 98.99 per cent effective in preventing unplanned pregnancy when taken as directed.

Another benefit of the contraceptive drug, according to Dr Santos, is the improvement of sexual function.

“Who would think that a contraceptive actually does this? Patients who complain of vaginal dryness said this was improved after taking Qlaira,” he said.

Bayer promotes Qlaira as a product that works in harmony with a woman’s body, as it provides hormonal contraception — delivering the right levels of the female hormones oestrogen and progestin at the right time during the cycle to provide reliable contraception and good cycle control.