The very first pills were very high dose and carried risks of blood clots and cardiovascular problems that would be unacceptable to most women," said Amy Allina, program director of the National Women's Health Network.Now that they've lowered the hormones in them to safer levels, they're not so effective.
In briefing documents posted to its Web site, the FDA said newer contraceptives appear to be less effective -- at times, with twice the failure rate -- than previous products, most likely because manufacturers have started using lower doses of hormones that stop ovulation.
Which is one reason why the "new" Dem approach to abortion --give teens more contraceptives-- is no solution whatever. Encourage a lot of extramarital sex, there are going to be a lot of contraceptive "failures." (Not to mention the whole logic rests on teens having the discipline to use contraceptives properly --a discipline they can't possibly have according to the anti-abstinence crowd.)
Here's something I didn't realize, although it seems obvious once pointed out.
Companies often exclude women who smoke, are overweight or have a history of heart problems from their trials. The FDA says this makes it difficult for scientists to judge the safety and efficacy of the drugs in the real world.When you're dealing with hormones, you're dealing with hair-trigger delicacy. Assuming what works in a skinny adult woman would work for everyone (especially teens) seems like... a big assumption, to say no more. I loved this line of the story --emblematic of our culture's entire approach to contraception:
Other innovative products have proved problematic for the agency. In September, for example, the FDA warned women that Johnson & Johnson's birth control patch Ortho Evra could raise their chances of developing blood clots in the legs and lungs.Problematic for the agency? Hey, it's only women.
