The future of contraception: What awaits us in the next ten years
In the minds of the majority, contraception is divided into two categories.: protection against sexually transmitted diseases and the prevention of pregnancy. If it is necessary for both sexes to think about the first task more or less equally, the second solution historically lies on the shoulders of women. It is a well-known fact that the invention and sale of oral contraceptives, popularly known as "The Pill", that is, simply the Pill, played into the hands of the emancipation of the mid-20th century: women were able to take control of their birth and finally do other things.
The first tablet appeared in the States in 1960, in Russia - only in the 70s. Since then, several generations of OC have changed, but they are still treated with wariness, if not with frank prejudice. If you multiply this by the conservative course of the state and the church, then it turns out that family planning is far from being at the level of the 21st century. Meanwhile, developments in this area are in full swing, and now contraception is not limited to means known to most. We understand what progressive methods exist at the moment and what awaits us in the foreseeable future.
Emergency measures
Unfortunately, sometimes to avoid unprotected sexual intercourse fails. Preventing STDs in this case is unlikely to work out, but you can take a pill for emergency contraception - what is called morning after pill in the West. They prevent the fertilized egg from joining to the uterus wall - the place where the placenta is formed a little later. Most drugs of this class makes sense to take only the first few hours after sexual intercourse. Nevertheless, since 2010 a product called Ella has been produced, which is effective even five days after unprotected sex. Prior to this, the record of the "emergency pill" action (72 hours) belonged to Plan B. Like other drugs of this class, Ella cannot be used continuously, only when absolutely necessary.
Course on multi-purpose contraceptives
The chances of getting pregnant do not depend on the number of partners (provided that none of them suffer from infertility, of course), but the probability of catching an STD depends. Nevertheless, loyalty to someone alone does not give an absolute guarantee of health. Many infections may not manifest themselves for years, and a person may not know for a long time that he is sick and contagious: take at least HIV, which in some cases can "sit quietly" for almost ten years. Therefore, the importance of protection and regular analysis should not be forgotten in a long-term relationship, even if you don’t mind having common children with your partner.
Surprisingly, two problems at once (preventing pregnancy and protection against STDs) are now actually solved by only one remedy - a condom. I must say that this ancient remedy does not suit everyone: despite all the innovations in this area, a condom can still cause discomfort for someone. However, the last problem very soon it will be possible to get around. Origami condom, developed in two variations - for men and for women, is about to be released to the market.
Unlike conventional condoms, the origami condom is initially folded with an accordion, so that in the straightened state it is not so tight to the penis and provides more comfortable sensations. Clinical trials are now being completed, and it is expected that the product will enter the market at the end of this year. In addition, in 5-10 years it is planned to begin the release of condoms from hydrogel. This material is now used in the manufacture of contact lenses, and to the touch it is much more like human skin than latex. In addition, the hydrogel is stronger at break: a ballpoint pen can be inserted into a condom made from this material and it will not break. Finally, the hydrogel is much less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Most likely, in the near future, the condom will no longer be the only multi-purpose means of protection. According to mpts101.org, at least 26 products are currently being developed that can simultaneously prevent unwanted pregnancy and venereal diseases. Most of the developments are vaginal gels containing spermicides and antiviral substances. In this class of products there are networks of nanofibers for application to vaginal caps, rings, and the like. Molecules of the antiviral drug, located between the fibers, will gradually leave the network into the vaginal space, which means that such networks can be used without replacement for several days or even weeks.
Non-hormonal contraception: the future of men
Unfortunately, not everyone believes that the desire to protect themselves from pregnancy and STDs is quite natural. As a rule, conservative and powerful men who are not alien to violence, prefer their partners not to use contraceptives at all. Otherwise, why are women in African countries who are regularly exposed to domestic violence protected many times less often than others, or at least prefer “invisible” methods of contraception like birth control pills to condoms?
By the way, with these pills have their own problems. First, taking a number of hormonal drugs is still not easy to hide. Changes in hormonal levels caused by pills affect appearance and behavior. Secondly, not all drugs with estrogen and others like him are shown. For example, patients with type 2 diabetes are prohibited from taking hormonal contraceptives. Because of this, half of these patients are either not protected at all, or resort to surgical sterilization - and it is allowed to perform it only if the woman already has at least one child. The first decision is simply unhealthy, and the second is not for everyone and may be too radical. In fact, contraceptive drugs, whose mechanism of action is not related to sex hormones, are now being actively developed. The authors of these drugs expect the first samples to go on sale in the next ten years. By the way, non-hormonal contraceptives can be used not only for women. Moreover, for men such preparations are easier to make, so perhaps in the future they will take care of protection.
It is assumed that new contraceptive drugs will affect the formation of sperm and / or their release from the testes, without changing the level of testosterone - and hence the degree of sexual desire. For example, in 2012 in the United States began to test a substance called JQ1, which was initially tried to use against cancer: it blocks the production of sperm and reduces their mobility. That is, when using it, ejaculation will remain intact, but the cells capable of fertilization will be significantly less in the semen. In addition, the risk of infecting the partner with diseases transmitted through seminal fluid in men who used this method of contraception will be lower.
A year after that, Australian scientists said they had found another means to block the release of sperm. Their substance inhibits the adenosine and purine receptors of cells of the autonomic nervous system that control the male genital organs. Caffeine does much the same thing, but it doesn’t touch the purine receptors. In addition, its effect is not local, as with a potential contraceptive, but extends to the entire body. The drug can be taken as a pill, it does not affect the hormonal status and does not violate the structure of the sperm. The active ingredient only prevents sperm from entering the semen.
However, temporary male sterilization is possible not only with the help of drugs. In 2010–2012, the effect of ultrasound on sperm production was tested on rats and macaques. Ultrasound for 15-30 minutes was applied to the testicular area (by the way, it is painless!), The procedure was repeated two or three times over a couple of weeks. The contraceptive effect in rats was maintained for 2.5 months, in smaller monkeys - up to 6 weeks.
DNA vaccine: protection for all
The powerful development of the near future can turn into both a boon and a horror of the totalitarian regime. In September 2015, Californian biologists reported successful testing of a DNA vaccine that "turns off" the ability to reproduce in mice for at least two months. Short DNA molecules with genes for antibodies against gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnVH) are administered to animals. The hormone itself acts on both males and females. It starts the production of sperm and eggs. The antibodies to it - the ones that were injected as part of the vaccine - block the action of the hormone, and hence the formation of germ cells. Probably for people this method will also work, but it will still need to be finalized. But stray animals can already now be temporarily sterilized in such a way that, no doubt, much more humane than lulling.
The future of new contraceptives
Even a brilliant development will not be of any use if everyone refuses to use it. Will the described methods of contraception be in demand - for the most part “invisible”, and not even female ones? Almost certainly - yes, here, by the way, is visual infographics. In the United States alone, almost half a million men undergo surgical sterilization each year, which means there is a demand for protection for men. Surveys show that half of the male representatives in America are trying to try new methods of contraception, and only 12% definitely do not want to experience any means of protection other than those tested by time. And women, for the most part, trust their regular partners and by default consider: if they say they are taking contraceptives, this is true. At the very least, if a person is not sure of the honesty of his partner, he is able to take care of safe sex himself.
Photo: 1, 2, 3, 4 via Shutterstock
