A new birth control pill called Qlaira is on the market in the UK. Instead of artificial hormones, Qlaira uses “bioidentical hormones” found in plants that mimic the hormones a women’s body produces naturally. Qlaira is manufactured by Bayer Schering Pharma, the same company that manufactures Yaz in the US. According to Fox News:

The pill works by altering the body’s hormone balance, which blocks the ovaries from releasing a new egg. Sunday night, women’s health expert Dr. Annie Evans welcomed the new pill. “I am concerned about the number of women who do not use effective contraception because of fears of risks or side-effects,” she said.

Many of the British women who take Qlaira say that they prefer to take a pill made of natural ingredients, rather than chemical compounds. In fact, “75% of women questioned said would be important when choosing a new contraceptive pill.” (Source: Pharmiweb) I can get behind this sentiment, because I prefer herbal medicine to artificial chemicals. However, how “herbal” can Qlaira be if it’s manufactured by a pharmaceutical giant like Bayer? [Read more...]