Expanding contraceptive choices: Lunelle (TM) monthly contraceptive injection

Contraceptive options for women have expanded with the FDA approval of a mo nthly injectable contraceptive. Containing a progestin and estrogen (25 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate and 5 mg estradiol cypionate; Lunelle(TM)/Lunel la(TM); Pharmacia and Upjohn), this novel once-a-month injection is charact erized by the convenience and contraceptive efficacy of long-term reversibl e methods and the cycle control, return to fertility and side-effect profil es common to low-dose oral contraceptives. The association of these desirab le attributes may increase the likelihood that a woman's chosen method will be used consistently and correctly to reduce the frequency of unintended p regnancy.