New Survey Reveals Birth Control Not Part of 'Pill Lo' Talk -- Life Coach Lauren Howard Guides Women on Tough Topics --

RARITAN, N.J., July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite the significant impact contraception has on women's health and well-being, a new survey finds that birth control and family planning rate last on the list of important topics that couples discuss. Ironically, marriage is twice as likely to zip lips on the subject of birth control and family planning, according to the survey commissioned by Ortho Women's Health & Urology, a Division of Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.

The national survey, conducted by Harris Interactive(R), found that both married and unmarried couples find it difficult to discuss their relationships and feelings, even though these are the very topics they want to discuss more often. Instead, couples find a safe haven in talking about subjects like work or finances.

"Women are doing themselves a disservice by not talking about the topics that matter most to us," says Lauren Howard, a licensed social worker and nationally recognized life coach. "When our conversations are filled with subjects that dilute what matters to us most, we are cheating ourselves of an opportunity to deepen and improve our relationships. The survey found that women who share frequent, meaningful conversations with their partners have significantly greater satisfaction in their relationships than those who don't talk as frequently."

To help women engage in more meaningful conversations, Ortho Women's Health & Urology and Lauren Howard have partnered to launch an online educational program called "Pill Lo Talk" that empowers women to communicate about a variety of important topics. The program features a series of free, online guides available at http://www.thepill.com/.

"No matter whom you're talking with - your husband, your best friend or your doctor - conversations about important topics can be difficult," says Ms. Howard. "Maybe we're hesitant to rock the boat or we're worried that things will turn confrontational. 'Pill Lo Talk' guides offer practical advice on how to initiate conversations on a variety of subjects and how to make them meaningful. The key is your ability to bridge the gap between everyday conversation and deeper talks."

The survey covered 847 women and men ages 18-49 who are married or in relationships. Couples reported talking most frequently about work (86 percent) and finances (81 percent). They reported the greatest difficulty in discussing relationship expectations (52 percent) and feelings (51 percent).

According to responses, only 17 percent of married adults discuss birth control and family planning on a regular basis versus 46 percent of single adults. The survey also showed that 95 percent of couples who had meaningful conversations at least once a week reported greater satisfaction in their relationships, compared to 75 percent of those who had meaningful conversations less than once a week.

The "Pill Lo Talk" guides offer conversation starter topics and questions to explore individually or as a couple. They also include communication techniques such as creating the appropriate setting, active listening and non- verbal cues. A "How-To" section uses the topic of birth control to demonstrate how to prepare and initiate important discussions. Guides are customized for women in three different life stages: "Being Independent, Staying Connected" for those who are getting started in their adult life, "Living Healthy" for the health-conscious woman, and "Changes and Choices" for those experiencing a relationship milestone. A simple quiz on http://www.thepill.com/ will determine which guide is best for each life circumstance.

As a leader in the women's health arena for more than 75 years, Ortho Women's Health & Urology encourages women to not only talk to their healthcare professional, but to make those conversations count. The "Pill Lo Talk" guides will accompany other tools for women online at http://www.thepill.com/ including the Patient-Doctor Communication Tool and the Birth Control Selector.

About Ortho Women's Health & Urology

Ortho Women's Health & Urology, a Division of Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc., is celebrating 75 years of partnering with women. As a leader in the fields of women's health and urology, Ortho Women's Health & Urology is committed to helping people live healthier lives and to meeting the needs of providers and patients with products such as ORTHO EVRA(R) (norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol transdermal system), ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN(R) LO (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol), DITROPAN XL(R) (oxybutynin chloride), and ELMIRON(R) (pentosan polysulfate sodium). For more information on these products, birth control, bladder health or general women's health issues, please visit http://www.orthowomenshealth.com/.

About ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN(R) LO (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol)

One of the low-dose hormonal contraceptive options for women is ORTHO TRI- CYCLEN LO, a triphasic birth control pill which offers high efficacy in preventing pregnancy with a low incidence of common side effects.

ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use oral contraceptives as their method of contraception.

Important Safety Information

ORTHO EVRA and ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO are hormonal contraceptives and are not for everybody. Serious as well as minor side effects have been reported with the use of hormonal contraceptives. Serious risks, which can be life threatening, include blood clots, stroke and heart attacks and are increased if you smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you are over 35. Women who use hormonal contraceptives are strongly advised not to smoke. Some women should not use hormonal contraceptives, including women who have blood clots, certain cancers, a history of heart attack or stroke, as well as those who are or may be pregnant. Hormonal contraceptives do not protect against HIV or sexually transmitted diseases.

Hormones from patches applied to the skin get into the blood stream and are removed from the body differently than hormones from birth control pills taken by mouth. You will be exposed to about 60% more estrogen if you use ORTHO EVRA than if you use a typical birth control pill containing 35 micrograms of estrogen. In general, increased estrogen exposure may increase the risk of side effects. However, it is not known if there are differences in the risk of serious side effects based on the differences between ORTHO EVRA and a birth control pill containing 35 micrograms of estrogen.

For full Prescribing Information visit http://www.thepill.com/ or http://www.orthoevra.com/.

Survey Methodology

Harris Interactive(R) fielded the study, sponsored by Ortho Women's Health & Urology, from May 1-3, 2006, via its QuickQuery(SM) online omnibus service, interviewing a nationwide sample of 847 U.S. adults aged 18-49 years who indicated they are in a heterosexual relationship (married or unmarried). Data were weighted to be representative of the total U.S. adult population on the basis of region, age within gender, education, household income, race/ethnicity, and propensity to be online. In theory, with a probability sample of this size, one can say with 95 percent certainty that the results have a sampling error of plus or minus 5 percentage points of what they would be if the entire population of U.S. adults who are in a heterosexual relationship (married or unmarried) had been polled with complete accuracy. This is not a probability sample. A survey fact sheet is available at http://www.thepill.com/

About Harris Interactive(R)

Harris Interactive, the 13th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world, provides clients with research-driven insights and strategic advice to help them make more confident decisions, leading to measurable and enduring improvements in performance.

Widely known for The Harris Poll(R) and for pioneering online market research methods, Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States (http://www.harrisinteractive.com/), Europe (http://www.harrisinteractive.com/europe), and Asia offices and is supported by its wholly owned subsidiary Novatris (http://www.novatris.com/) in Paris and an independent global network of affiliate market research companies. Harris Interactive is headquartered in Rochester, New York, and Europe operations are based in London.