A STUDY at King Edward Memorial Hospital hopes to remedy side effects that can be associated with taking contraceptive pills.
Researchers hope a new pill will reduce symptoms such as pelvic pain, headache and loss of libido.
KEMH research leader Professor Martha Hickey is in the process of recruiting women aged between 18 and 50 who already use a contraceptive pill and experience similar unwanted side effects.
“Many women who take the pill experience these kinds of uncomfortable symptoms,” she said.
“We now believe that they may be caused by hormone withdrawal during the seven days of their cycle when pills with no active ingredients are taken.”
Prof Hickey said the “non-hormonal” or placebo pill interval initially served to mimic the body’s natural cycle, but reducing the number of withdrawal days could result in fewer symptoms.
The study will trial a new combined oral contraceptive created with a natural oestrogen instead of synthetic oestrogen regularly used in other pills, with the placebo pill interval shortened from seven to two days per cycle.
The six-month study will involve close to 900 volunteers from around the world, including women from Europe and Asia-Pacific countries.
Call KEMH on 9340 2717 or 9340 1389 to volunteer.