60% of women take pill break, study shows

ONE in four sexually active women stopped taking the contraceptive pill because it disagreed with them, research shows.

And almost 30% stopped taking the pill because they were worried about taking it long-term.

“Many women are wary about the effect the contraceptive pill has on their body,” said Waterford-based GP, Dr Eithne Brenner.

The study of 277 women conducted last October found that more than 60% of women had taken a pill break.

Many women stopped taking the contraceptive pill due to side-effects. 22% stopped because they suffered mood swings while 20% said they were gaining weight. Feeling depressed (12%) and migraines (10%) were other reasons for stopping.

The research was launched to coincide with the launch of a new contraceptive pill – Qlaira.

Dr Brenner said the new pill, distributed by Bayer Schering in Ireland, provided a more natural form of the hormone oestrogen.

Hormone levels in a woman’s cycle vary and the new pill is designed to deliver different levels of oestrogen and progestin throughout the month.

Despite the range of contraceptives available, it is estimated that half of pregnancies in Ireland are unplanned.