New 5-Year Contraceptive Coming To U.S. Adds To Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives List

Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for a new hormonal contraceptive device: Bayer AG (ADR) BAYRY’s Kyleena.

This small, flexible, plastic T-shaped intrauterine device (IUD) is not very different from others used around the world. After being placed in the uterus, it releases continuously low dosages of levonorgestrel — a progestogen — providing effective birth control for up to five years. After removal, women rapidly return to their natural fertility levels.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the device is almost as effective as sterilization and more successful in preventing pregnancy than pills and patches.

Related Link: Sexual Health Month: Carafem Applauds Latest Customized Birth Control Options

The long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) device will be available in the United States as of next month and is expected to take market share from other IUDs like Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (ADR) TEVA’s copper IUD, Paragard. However, its sales could also cannibalize those of other Bayer hormonal IUDs like Mirena and Skyla.

For women looking for different options available in the United States, there’s Allergan plc Ordinary SharesAGN’s Liletta, which lasts up the three years, and Merck & Co., Inc. MRK’s vaginal ring, NuvaRing, which needs to be changed with each menstrual cycle — removed after 21 days with a new ring reinserted seven days after that.

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Disclosure: Javier Hasse holds no interest in any of the securities or entities mentioned above.