The Lunelle contraceptive shot was found 100% effective in a large-scale trial of more than 700 U.S. women. U.S. Today reported today that similar trials conducted abroad yielded comparable results “in more than 17,000 women worldwide.”
The recent trial was conducted for Phamacia & Upjohn by a group of researchers at the University of Florida at Jacksonville. Lead study author Andrew Kaunitz stated that the drug , administered in a doctor’s office via injection, is “completely reversible” and “as effective as surgical sterilization.”
Women taking Lunelle can become fertile the month after they discontinue use of the contraceptive, unlike users of the Depo Provera contraceptive injection, who must wait an average of 9 months to regain their fertility.
Given that Lunelle uses the same hormones found in most birth control pills, its side effects mirror those experienced by oral contraceptive users. Women who dislike having to take oral contraceptives each day may appreciate the fact that Lunelle is injected only once a month. Other women may prefer the self-administered Pill over the Lunelle injection, which may require a doctor’s visit. Developers of Lunelle hope that patients and/or other health care providers will eventually be allowed to administer the Lunelle injections.
