Bayer HealthCare and HealthyWomen launch Family Size Matters initiative
WHIPPANY, N.J. — Bayer HealthCare and HealthyWomen on Thursday launched the Family Size Matters initiative to help educate women who are done, or think they may be done, having children about their family planning, including permanent birth control.
Family Size Matters is launched in partnership with Bayer, HealthyWomen — a leading health information resource for women — and Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, a board certified OB/GYN.
As part of the Family Size Matters program, Bayer HealthCare surveyed 1,000 women in the United States ages 25 to 45 years who are in committed relationships, are done having children, and are not using permanent birth control. As many as 35% of all the women surveyed reported having a pregnancy scare after deciding they were done having children. And of the 900 women surveyed who are using some form of birth control, 66% are still using the same birth control they used prior to their most recent pregnancy.
“Different birth control methods work well for women in different stages of their reproductive lives. For example, birth control pills might be right for you when you are starting your family, and permanent contraception might be the right option for many patients who are done having children,” stated Gilberg-Lenz. “That’s why it’s so important that women are educated about all their options and discuss them with their partners and doctors, to arrive at an informed decision that works best for them.”
The Bayer survey results indicated that there may be a need for better education about birth control options for women who are done having children. Three-out-of-four of the 900 women surveyed who are done having children and are using temporary forms of birth control stated that they would be interested in learning about permanent birth control from their doctors.
“As a leading health information resource for women, we are thrilled to be partnering with Bayer HealthCare on this initiative, to ensure our readers and women everywhere have access to resources and information on various birth control options and understand the importance of speaking with their healthcare provider about those options,” said Beth Battaglino, president and CEO of HealthyWomen. “I encourage women to visit the program website FamilySizeMatters.com for more information and resources, including an online quiz and tips to help in discussions with a woman’s partner and healthcare provider."