Birth control has come a long way. Women no longer down poisonous teas, douche with abrasive chemicals or rely on magic spells for their contraceptive security. Men no longer paint their penises with tar, heat their testicles or slit open the penis shaft to spill semen during ejaculation. Intensive research is ushering in a new era of birth control, targeting both men and women.

Barrier Methods for Women

FemCap — Made from soft silicone, the tiny dome covers the cervix and is designed to last three years.

Vaginal Sponge — A polyurethane foam sponge containing a spermicide and microbicide to protect against sexually transmitted infections is anticipated to hit the market in the fall.

Pills and Rings for Women

B-Oval — This pill is a synthetic version of melatonin, a hormone found naturally in the body, and may be used instead of estrogen in this combination pill.

Vaginal Ring — Made from soft silicone, the ring is placed inside the vagina. The ring contains both estrogen and progestin.

NuvaRing — This flexible, two-inch ring may be inserted inside the vagina for three weeks, while it secretes a low dose combination of estrogen and progestin through the vaginal walls.

Injections and Vaccines for Women

Injectables — A gradual release of progestin through injection lasts for 90 days.

Oral or injectable vaccines — Oral or injectable vaccines to immunize women against pregnancy and attack eggs or sperm are being developed.

Implants for Women

Implanon — This single capsule contains a progestin called 3-ketodesogestrel, which is designed to last two to three years.

Norplant II — Norplant II is the second generation of Norplant, requiring only two implants.

Tubal Sterilization

Chemical Scarring — In China, phenol (carbolic acid) is combined with a thickening agent and used to damage the fallopian tubes. The scar tissue that forms eventually blocks the tube.

Chemical Plugs — Canada and the Netherlands approved permanent non-surgical tubal sterilization through the introduction of chemicals into the fallopian tubes, such as methyl cyanoacrylate — Krazy Glue.

Silicone Plugs — Liquid silicone is injected into the fallopian tubes. The silicone hardens and blocks the tube with a rubbery plug that can be removed.

Oral Contraceptives for Men

Oral contraception for men reduces sperm counts to levels that are unlikely to cause pregnancy. In Italy, a contraceptive pill containing synthetic hormones is being used by men in a clinical study. The men also receive testosterone injections to boost the effectiveness of the pill.

Injections, Implants and Vaccines for Men

World Health Organization studies have shown greatly reduced sperm counts in men injected once a week with testosterone enanthate, a synthetic hormone. Research continues with a combination of TE and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, the progestin used in Depo-Provera. The combination injection may be needed only once a month.

Subdermal Implants — Two rods are inserted under the skin. One of the rods contains a synthetic version of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone. The other contains an androgen. The androgen, 7-alpha methyl-19-nortestosterone, is 10 times stronger than natural testosterone.

Battery-powered capsules — Capsules implanted into each vas deferens emit low-level electrical currents that immobilizes sperm as they flow by.

Vasectomy

Chemical Compounds — Phenol mixed with alcohol is injected into each vas deferens.

Silicone Plugs — Tiny silicone cylinders are inserted into each vas deferens. The cylinders physically block the tubes.

Reversible Vasectomy — Chemicals inserted into the vas derens block the movement of sperm.

Published on March 20, 2002 at 12:00 pm