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One new method of birth control is a small electronic fertility computer, which tells a woman which days she is fertile. These methods are now available in Europe and Canada. Clinical trials are being conducted in the US to obtain FDA approval, but such devices are currently not on the market in the United States. These methods would be acceptable to religious groups which prohibit artificial contraception. The Persona brand measures levels of hormone in the urine. Other models measure and store basal temperature readings, like the LadyComp and BioSelf models shown here. The LadyComp device can be used by women with longer or irregular cycles, such as those experienced postpartum. |
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Methods being given the most attention use of synthetic hormones, such as those used in female birth control pills. Synthetic hormones are the basis for a Chinese treatment known as the "pill and patch method," which consists of an oral pill containing progesterone (a female sex hormone) and a skin patch containing testosterone.
This method has been found to temporarily lower a man's sperm count to zero without causing long-term infertility. Side effects may include abdominal cramps, depression and headaches, similar to side-effects felt by some female pill users. This treatment and others using synthetic hormones are still being researched, but many believe this type of birth control could be available for men within five or six years.
Another area of research is immunocontraceptives, which use the body's own immune system to attack the sperm-production process. A vaccine would cause an immune response to a hormone, FSH, without which sperm are unable to mature. Once the vaccine wears off, men would return to their normal fertility. One drawback is it's effective only in two-thirds of the men tested thus far.
- Sources for this segment:
- Birth Control Not Just for Women Anymore: Student Advantage.com
- New Male Birth-Control Options May Be on the Way: Lycos Health/Web MD
Contraceptive Sponge
Average Failure: 26-40%
The contraceptive sponge is a small,
disposable sponge that already contains spermicide.
Once in place, it provides protection
for twenty-four hours, no matter how often you have intercourse.
The sponge is about as
effective as a diaphragm, but, like the cap, it is less effective
for women who have already borne children. In addition to toxic
shock syndrome, women who use the sponge may be at higher risk
of vaginal yeast infections. The Today sponge was removed from the US market in
1995 due to manufacturing problems which were resulting in contamination of
the product. However, other brands are presently available in Canada.
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Below are some new types of cervical caps, not yet FDA approved but available from outside the US. As they are currently being evaluated, reliable failure rates are not yet available. | |
Lea Shield: A silicone version of the cervical cap with a one-way valve, allowing it to be used during menstruation. |
The Oves Cervical Cap: A disposable cap, made of hypo-allergenic silicone. Can be worn up to 72 hours. |
Pregnancy Vaccine
This method works by vaccinating a woman against the female pregnancy hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) which is produced by the fertilized egg just after conception. When a pregnancy occurs and the embryo begins producing HCG, this molecule triggers an immune reaction against it, just as it would against a foreign invader. This kills the embryo, preventing a pregnancy. The "vaccine" lasts for about one year.
- The following links are provided as an informational resource or counterpoint and are not necessarily endorsed by the author:
- The Politics of Contraceptive Research: About the development of the pregnancy vaccine
- A Vaccine Against Pregnancy?: Feminist Women's Health Center
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Updated: November 11, 2002