For almost a century, Bayer has been working to make a positive difference to women’s health through pioneering research and innovation.
In the 1920s, Bayer—then called Schering AG—made a significant contribution to understanding the molecular structure of sex hormones and launched the world's first oestrogen preparation for menopause management. This firmly set Bayer as a pioneer in women’s healthcare and, in 1961, Bayer became the first company to launch a contraceptive pill in Europe, the combined oral contraceptive Anovlar® (norethisterone acetate/ethinylestradiol)1
More recent innovations include the introduction of Kyleena® (19.5 mg intrauterine delivery system levonorgestrel) a low-dose, levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine delivery system which was launched in the UK in 2018.2
- Pletzer BA and Kerschbaum HH. Front Neurosci 2014;8:256.
- Kyleena – Europe 2018 – prescribing information - Reference ID: 4228507. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/208224s001lbl.pdf [Last accessed: November 2019].
Bayer’s innovations in women’s health timeline:
1960
First European birth control pill, the combined oral contraceptive Anovlar® (norethisterone/ethinyl estradiol)
Progestogen-only pill (mini-pill)
First progestogen-only emergency contraception, Levonelle® (levonorgestrel) launched in the UK
First low-estrogen dose contraceptive pill, Yasmin® (ethinylestradiol/drospirenone)
First pill to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a severe form of premenstrual syndrome, in the US for women who choose the contraceptive pill for birth control.
Jaydess®▼ (13.5 mg intrauterine delivery system levonorgestrel) was launched in 2014
First birth control pill approved for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding, Qlaira®
Kyleena® (19.5 mg intrauterine delivery system levonorgestrel), a low-dose levonorgestrel-releasing IUS was launched in the UK in 2018
Present day
- Costescu DJ. Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems for long-acting contraception: current perspectives, safety, and patient counseling. Int J Womens Health. 2016;8:589–598. Published 2016 Oct 13. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S99705
- Bayer Plc. Qlaira, film-coated tablets: Summary of Product Characteristics [online]. Updated 17 December 2018. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6536 [Last accessed: August 2019].
Bayer offers a number of contraception methods for women, depending on their personal needs. These include:
- Bayer Plc. Qlaira® (estradiol valerate/dienogest): Summary of Product Characteristics [online]. Updated 17 December 2018]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6536/smpc [Last accessed: August 2019].
- Bayer Plc. Mirena® (52 mg intrauterine delivery system levonorgestrel): Summary of Product Characteristics [online]. Updated 17 October 2019. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1132 [Last accessed: August 2019].
- Bayer Plc. Kyleena® (19.5 mg intrauterine delivery system levonorgestrel): Summary of Product Characteristics [online]. Updated 02 May 2019. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/769 [Last accessed: August 2019].