Bayer HealthCare study highlights strong performance of Mirena contraceptive

Bayer HealthCare has announced results from a major new study that offers further evidence of the efficacy of its intrauterine contraception aid Mirena.

Published online in the Contraception journal, the study concluded that while both Mirena and copper intrauterine devices (Cu-IUD) are highly effective birth control methods, the risk of contraceptive failure was eight times lower among those using Mirena.

The data also demonstrated low rates of uterine perforation in women, with a risk of around one per 1,000 insertions and no clinically important differences between the two methods.

More than 61,000 women from six countries were involved in the European Active Surveillance Study for Intrauterine Devices study, making it the largest research project of its kind to date.

Dr Dearbhla Hull, medical advisory head for the women's health division at Bayer HealthCare, said: "This is a large study, conducted in a real-world setting, which shows that both types of IUC are effective options for women, with a more favourable benefit-risk profile towards Mirena than the Cu-IUD."

Last month, it was revealed that the company's blood glucose meters had come top of a patient satisfaction ranking from JD Power, further underlining the high standard of its products.