KENILWORTH, N.J., June 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck (NYSE: MRK),
known as MSD outside the United
States and Canada,
announced today the results of a recent on-line survey about
women's views on relationships and sex, which found that women are
less assertive about initiating discussions about their sexual
health than they are about other important areas of their lives.
That's why Merck is launching an educational campaign called "Rule
the Real Talk" with Dr. Logan
Levkoff, relationship and sex expert, and Dr. Rebecca Brightman, OB/GYN and women's health
expert, to help women spark important conversations about sexual
health, including birth control options, with both their partners
and their health care providers.
Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7365251-merck-women-sexual-health-survey/
According to the survey, nearly one-third (31%) of women in a
relationship rarely or never talk to their partner about sexual
health, and six in ten (62%) of those who do have these discussions
admit they don't initiate them. Additionally, one-fifth of all
women (22%) say they feel uncomfortable discussing their sexual
history with their partner.
"In my years as a relationship expert, I've seen many women who
are reluctant to make the first move when it comes to advocating
for their sexual health," said Dr. Logan
Levkoff, relationship and sex expert. "Whether they want to
spice things up, connect on a deeper level, or discuss their birth
control options, women need to speak up. I'm excited to be a part
of this program to help women learn how to start conversations
about what's important to them. Their ability to take those first
steps toward an open dialogue could help forge a deeper and more
meaningful relationship with their partners."
Another important relationship for women – whether they are
single or committed to someone – is with their health care
provider. Unfortunately, nearly a quarter (24%) of all women
surveyed feel uncomfortable discussing their sexual history with
their health care provider. And, almost three in ten (29%) women
admit they typically rely on their health care provider to initiate
discussions about their birth control options, highlighting a need
to help women feel like they can make the first move to ask
questions about birth control during a health care provider visit.
"Women should feel just as ambitious advocating for their needs
about matters inside the bedroom as they do outside the bedroom,"
said Dr. Rebecca Brightman, women's
health expert. "As a practicing OB/GYN, I encourage women to think
of her health care provider as their health advocate – someone
who's on her side and can help her navigate any questions or
concerns she has about her sexual health, including what birth
control options may work best for her."
A woman should feel comfortable openly voicing any questions she
has and should work with her health care provider to explore
available birth control options, including ones that she doesn't
have to take every day.
Additional survey findings
- Almost all women with a significant other (93%) say they work
to breathe life into their relationship;
- The majority of women who work to keep their relationship
healthy do so by making time to communicate with their partner
(71%), or by making an effort to be spontaneous (49%).
Survey Methodology
The Merck Contraception Survey was conducted by Kelton
between October 8 and October 29,
2014 among 2,015 American women ages 18-40 including 1,005
current birth control users and 1,010 non-current birth control
users, using an e-mail invitation and an online survey.
About Merck
Today's Merck is a global health care leader working to help the
world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines,
vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products, we work
with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver
innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to
increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies,
programs and partnerships. For more information, visit
www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and
YouTube.
Forward-Looking Statement
This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are
based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Merck's
management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.
If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or
uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially
from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general
industry conditions and competition; general economic factors,
including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations;
the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care
legislation in the United States
and internationally; global trends toward health care cost
containment; technological advances, new products and patents
attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product
development, including obtaining regulatory approval; Merck's
ability to accurately predict future market conditions;
manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of
international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the
effectiveness of Merck patents and other protections for innovative
products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent
litigation, and/or regulatory actions.
Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise except as required by applicable law.
Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially
from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found
in Merck's 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company's other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available
at the SEC's Internet site (www.sec.gov).
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visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/merck-launches-new-program-that-encourages-women-to-rule-the-real-talk-and-prioritize-their-sexual-health-300097553.html
SOURCE Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.