Soon a hormone-free contraceptive gel? (We don’t get carried away, but it’s promising)

Easy to use, reliable and non-hormonal contraception many dream of. According to PublicationSwedish researchers are currently working on a contraceptive gel that would act on the cervical mucusthe mucus naturally secreted by the glands of the cervix.

An idea that doesn’t seem so far from the Phexxi vaginal gel, marketed in the United States since 2020, which by acting on the pH, making it more acidic, has an impact on sperm and has 86% effective contraceptive properties.

A chitosan-based contraceptive

This time, the method developed since 2017 by the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden is based on the properties of chitosan, derived from chitin, which is found in the shell of crustaceans and insects. Chitosan is usually a component of a dietary supplement, but here, combined with cervical mucus, prevents the progression of sperm to the uterus. Tested on sheep, the contraceptive gel proved to be 98% effective. More tests still need to be done before human trials are considered.

Like Phexxi, this gel, which is only in an experimental stage, would allow great ease of use by being applied before sexual intercourse, potentially several hours before.

While 15-24 year olds expect the mental load of contraception to be better distributed and not serious primarily on women’s shoulders, these new alternative methods also respond to another need: that of no longer being dependent on hormonal contraception, which still often includes painful side effects on physical, mental and sexual health.

Photo credit: Jill Burrow via Pexels