The trend observed by the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) since February 2013 continues: sales of implants and IUDs have continued to increase. In its 6th inventory on the evolution of prescriptions for oral contraceptives in France, the ANSM also reports a very marked increase in the use of copper IUDs, whose sales increased by 45.1% in August 2013 compared to August 2012. This increase is over 50% for women under 40 years of age.
At the same time, sales of 3rd and 4th generation pills seem to be suffering from the controversy dating from last winter. Suspected of causing venous thrombosis, their number of prescriptions fell by 52.4% over the Agency’s observation period from December 2013 to August 2013.
The ANSM notes that women who have given up the pill are less reluctant to use the IUD than before, despite the fact that 69% of the gynecologists questioned in 2011 considered that it was not indicated for a patient who had not had an IUD. children. However, the High Authority for Health indicated the opposite in 2004. The IUD can be used at any age, whether the woman has been pregnant or not.
The message is starting to get across since according to the ANSM, 39% of sales of IUDs concern women aged 30-39, 27% aged 40-49, 23% aged 20-29 and 3% aged 15-19. The most marked increase in the use of the IUD (47%) occurred in women aged 20 to 29, specifies the ANSM.
“It is important to emphasize the relevance of the practices of prescribers who, since last December, have taken into account the recommendations of the ANSM”, welcomes the Agency on the sidelines of this latest assessment. “These changes in prescriptions are maintained over time and go in the direction of minimizing the risks associated with estrogen-progestive contraception for patients.”
