Non Hormonal Birth Control
Birth control development is a prime symbol of the lack of innovation in women’s health - Kelly Culwell MD
image by: Kaylah Austin
HWN Suggests
Where is all the hormone-free birth control?
For a long time, people have been trying not to get pregnant. In 500-100 CE, European women tied weasel testicles around their legs during sex to prevent pregnancy. Ancient Egyptians stuck a honey and crocodile dung mix up their vaginas to block sperm from entering. And in imperial China, sex workers were encouraged to drink liquid mercury (which might have stopped them from getting pregnant, but often killed them, too). Despite the obviously high demand for contraceptive options, it would take another couple of centuries until humans got their hands on a safe and effective birth control method. Nowadays, there are several female contraceptives to choose from, including the widely popular…
Resources
A New Breed of Nonhormonal Birth Control
A dissolvable patch that uses antibodies grown from tobacco plants could prevent unwanted pregnancies and HIV—at a time when reproductive health is under attack
Here are all of your non-hormonal birth control options
Some non-hormonal birth control options require your attention every time you have sex, while others last for years or are even permanent.
‘I felt colossally naive’: the backlash against the birth control app
Natural Cycles was hailed as a stress-free, hormone-free contraceptive. Then women began reporting unwanted pregnancies.
A different nonhormonal birth control option
The Phexxi gel uses ingredients that make the environment in the vagina acidic, which immobilizes sperm.
A Look At New Hormone-Free Contraceptive Option
If you're someone who's recently explored your options for contraception, you may have heard about Phexxi, one of the newest products on the market. It's a prescription gel being advertised as a revolution in birth control. The product, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration last year, is hormone-free and can be used on an as-needed basis.
Beyond Condoms!
Contraceptive research has historically prioritized women because they bear the burden of pregnancy and most contraceptive options available today are for women. But there are efforts to widen the contraceptive responsibility. Researchers are looking into both hormonal and non-hormonal male contraceptives. They hope that at least one of the products will hit the market in the next decade.
Hormonal Vs. Non-Hormonal Contraception
Non-hormonal contraception has gained immense popularity recently due to its numerous benefits. Not only are they widely accessible and can be purchased with no prescription, but they’re generally very affordable. Also, users of non-hormonal contraception avoid potential hormonal side effects such as changes in acne, weight, and mood. Additionally, condoms are the only method of birth control that offers protection from sexually transmitted infections like HIV/AIDS.
Male birth control options are in development, but a number of barriers still stand in the way
Lack of interest from pharmaceutical companies may also play a role in deterring male contraception development, and there are a number of possible reasons the drug industry shies away from male birth control. One reason includes weighing the cost of development with uncertainties about the potential market.
My Body, My Sponge?
It was a wildly popular contraceptive in the 1980s. And then it disappeared.
Non-Hormonal Contraception
While hormonal contraceptives are efficacious and available in several forms for women, perception of safety and concern over side effects are a deterrent for many.
Non-Hormonal Contraception
Non-hormonal birth control can involve creating a barrier between sperm and the egg, changing the chemistry in the reproductive tract or a combination of both methods.
The Future Of Sperm-Related Birth Control
Currently, there are just two birth control options for people who produce sperm: a vasectomy or condoms. That could change soon. Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College discovered that a drug used to treat eye disease temporarily stopped sperm production in mice – hours later, fertility was restored.
The Wearable That Could Free Women From the Pill
Non-hormonal birth control is already an option, but for women doing it it's still very risky with the temperature method...
Why Fertility Awareness Is My Birth Control of Choice
Watching my cycle like a hawk to prevent pregnancy has been effective for me — and, no, it’s not the rhythm method.
Where is all the hormone-free birth control?
As male birth control continues to be tested, people are asking for more female-focused research, too.
6 Types of Nonhormonal Birth Control You Should Have on Your Radar
Here are half a dozen nonhormonal birth control options that are worth considering if you want to avoid both pregnancy and hormones (and pregnancy hormones!).
7 Reasons to Quit Hormonal Birth Control
Whether it’s your hairstylist or your birth control, breaking up is hard to do. But sometimes—like when you end up with an unintentional mullet or you’re, um, at an increased risk of stroke—it’s necessary. All contraceptives have positives (beyond preventing pregnancy, obvi) and negatives. Many forms of hormonal birth control, for example, can zap zits or regulate and even eliminate your period. But hormonal birth control can also make you feel crappy, interfere with your non-prophylactic meds, and have other drawbacks. Here are seven potential reasons to say goodbye to your hormonal birth control.
Phexxi
Phexxi is an innovative gel that works by maintaining vaginal pH–no hormones needed! Phexxi doesn’t cause weight gain, mood swings, and blood clots, and is completely hormone-free.
Introducing Stitches!
Your Path to Meaningful Connections in the World of Health and Medicine
Connect, Collaborate, and Engage!
Coming Soon - Stitches, the innovative chat app from the creators of HWN. Join meaningful conversations on health and medical topics. Share text, images, and videos seamlessly. Connect directly within HWN's topic pages and articles.
