Reporting a few cases of negative side effects is alarmist and damaging

A story aired on the ABC that reported on issues concerning long-acting contraceptives was unbalanced and alarmist writes Associate Professor Kirsten Black. Last night ABC's 7.30 featured a  report on long-acting reversible contraception  (LARC) that was unbalanced and alarmist. This could have a long-lasting detrimental impact on women's reproductive health in Australia. The segment focused on the contraceptive implant (Implanon NXT) and the intrauterine system (Mirena) and presented two cases of women who experienced adverse side effects from use of these methods. The report completely failed to present the experience of the majority of women who are happy with these devices and reap many benefits. These include reduced period bleeding and pain, as well as reliable protection from unintended pregnancy. In studies where women are followed up a year after commencing one of these methods, over 80% of women continue to use them.