IUDs that Save Lives, Helsinki, Finland

For a malnourished woman, living in a less developed part of the world, her monthly cycle can be much more than an inconvenience. Possibly already anaemic, the blood loss can lead to a serious loss of productivity that means further malnourishment, not only for herself, but also for those depending on her. Furthermore, should she give birth at some point, post-partum bleeding can be life-threatening.

This problem is being addressed by Tapani Luukkainen of Helsinki, Finland. An MD and PhD, who developed the levonorgestrel-releasing IUD, Mirena (http://www.mirena-us.com), Tapani is working to make a similar device available, at low cost, to the poor women of the world. The IUD releases the hormone and this, in turn, reduces blood loss dramatically, both for periodic and post-partum bleeding.

I have explored, with Tapani, various ways in which a suitable device might be produced at low cost and in sufficient quantities for distribution to women in need. However, as of now, various legal impediments remain. Mirena, now produced by Bayer Health Care (and formerly owned by Scherring, which had itself purchased the Finnish company that originally produced it) is still priced so high as to be impractical for the use intended by Tapani.

Tapani, effectively retired, continues to devote his time, energy and efforts to this cause.