Contraceptive Technologies: Looking Ahead to New Approaches to Increase Options for Family Planning

Abstract

With persistently high global rates of unintended pregnancy and contraceptive nonuse, nonadherence and discontinuation, new contraceptive methods must address the needs of women and men who seek alternatives to their current options. Methods under development aim to reduce potential side effects, improve access and ease of use, ensure safety, increase secondary benefits associated with method use and expand options for both women and men. Developmental approaches employed to enhance current methods utilize new delivery systems and novel active pharmaceutical ingredients. This will improve overall user satisfaction with the methods used while expanding the number of options available to provide choice and value user autonomy in the highly diverse contraceptive markets around the world.

Progestins of today and tomorrow

“…Studies of injectable progestins have focused on improving side effect profiles and extending dose duration with technologies such as microsphere injectables [50]. Formulations for long-acting subdermal implants made of biodegradable materials that do not require removal are also being studied [51].…”

Foreword: Global Gynecology

“…In parallel papers focusing on the "hardware" (technologies) of family planning as well as the "software" (programs and policies), the combined teams of Haddad et al 1 and Johnson et al 2 provide outstanding overviews of these highly valuable preventive undertakings. In discussing technologies, Haddad et al, 1 provide us with an in-depth assessment of the state-of-the-art concerning current and future contraceptives, particularly those likely to have impact in LMICs, and also give us insights into the direction of contraceptive research and development. Innovations in hormones, such as the use of 17ß-estradiol and estetrol, represent likely safety, if not efficacy, improvements, while the progestin vaginal ring, also highlighted in the review, widens the options available for breastfeeding women.…”

“…In essence, given current technologies, birth control pills “immunize” women against pregnancy 1 day at a time, while intrauterine devices provide such protection 10 years at a time. In parallel papers focusing on the “hardware” (technologies) of family planning as well as the “software” (programs and policies), the combined teams of Haddad et al1 and Johnson et al2 provide outstanding overviews of these highly valuable preventive undertakings. In discussing technologies, Haddad et al,1 provide us with an in-depth assessment of the state-of-the-art concerning current and future contraceptives, particularly those likely to have impact in LMICs, and also give us insights into the direction of contraceptive research and development.…”