Need seen for ‘balanced’ view of contraception

Press, 20 February 1987, Page 25

Need seen for ‘balanced’ view of contraception

PA Dunedin A group of Auckland obstetricians and gynaecologists has formed a committee in an attempt to give woman “a balanced viewpoint” about various contraceptive methods.

The group has indicated its support for the use of intrauterine devices (1.U.D.), and criticises what it terms as "adverse publicity in the lay press concerning some widelyused and very effective methods of contraception.”

The group made its views on the issue known in a letter to the “New Zealand Medical Journal." The committee, called Contraceptive Choice, would try to provide a balanced viewpoint about the various contraceptive methods “and we hope to

be able to convey these opinions to New Zealand women.”

The specialists said the press was able to assert great influence over women’s contraceptive choices by emphasising infrequent complications which could lead to unnecessary fear and anxiety. "The ultimate result of this is often discontinuation of the method and unwanted pregnancy with its attendant emotional and physical risks.” Pregancy and termination of pregnancy, the group said, were a greater risk of women’s health.

Taking New Zealand figures for 1982-83 the risk of death in pregnancy was about one in 3000, which, the group said, was significantly higher than the risk involved with any available method of con-

traception, with the exception of combined contraceptive pill use in a woman over the age of 32 who smoked.

Contraceptive Choice had been formed with this in mind. “We are concerned,” the group said, “that the range of currently available methods of contraception is already limited. It is therefore imperative that women’s choices not be further reduced.

It said that in a large prospective New Zealand study of fertility after the use of an I.U.D. — in which 178 doctors had contributed — 92 per cent of women who had never been pregnant before conceived within three years. The study also included those who had the I.U.D. removed for complications. Those fertility figures, the group said,

were comparable with those of the general population.

“The copper 1.U.D.," the group said, “is an effective, safe and appropriate form of contraception for many women. It is especially suitable for women not exposed to sexually transmitted diseases and for , those who have already borne children.

“In the present climate of adverse publicity about the use of I.U.D.s it is important that women be reassured about their use so that this contraceptive choice is not lost.”

The letter is signed by Helen Roberts and Christine Roke, of the Family Planning Association; Lesley McCowan, Hilary Liddell and Lynda Batchelor, of National Women’s Hospital; and by Jennifer Wilson of St Helens Hospital.