FDA Updates on Birth Control

There have been some notable changes with birth control products, including three new product approvals and one product exiting the market.

1. New yearly birth control vaginal ring approved. This birth control ring is very different from the existing vaginal ring product since it works for 1 year. It is a combined hormonal product and contains ethinyl estradiol and a new progestin — segesterone acetate. The ring is placed in the vagina for three weeks followed by one week out of the vagina, at which time women may experience a period (a withdrawal bleed). This schedule is repeated every four weeks for one year. The brand name is Annovera. One advantage of this product is that it does not require refrigeration. It is expected to be available in 2019. For more info, FDA News Release and Manufacturer Press Release.

2.  First direct-to-consumer birth control digital app approved. This is the first app approved by the FDA as a safe and effective method of contraception.  It is indicated for use by adults aged 18 years and older. The app must be used with a thermometer — a two decimal basal thermometer, which is not the same as a normal fever thermometer.

Users will measure their temperature first thing in the morning before they get up and out of bed (at least five mornings a week) and enter it into the app.  For the algorithm to calculate daily fertility, users will also need to add their period data each month. The Natural Cycles algorithm analyses the information entered into the app to detect ovulation, thereby identifying green days, when no protection is needed, or red days, when you should use condoms or abstain from sex to prevent a pregnancy. For more info, FDA News Release and Company Website.

3. Another generic levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pill approved. New generic emergency contraception (EC) pill approved. Preventeza is the brand name and it is made by the makers of Vagisil. This is another Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg single-pill EC product that may be sold without a prescription to consumers of all ages — women and men. It is available online only from the manufacturer’s website.

4. Essure to be discontinued. Essure is a permanent birth control method that doesn’t requires surgery and is placed in an office-based procedure. In this procedure, a soft, flexible insert is delivered through the vagina and uterus and permanently placed in each fallopian tube. No incision is required to deliver or place the inserts and general anesthesia is not required. Over time, a natural barrier forms around the inserts and prevents sperm from reaching the eggs by occluding the fallopian tubes. During this time, the patient must continue using another form of birth control to prevent pregnancy until the confirmation test at 3 months post-procedure.

The manufacturer is discontinuing production and it will no longer be available at the end of 2018.  This may be due to complaints from users due to adverse effects, restrictions by the FDA in April of this year, and/or low utilization. For more info, FDA Press Announcement.

This has been a busy time for birth control product changes. We always welcome new birth control options to fit patient needs, given they are safe and effective.