The future of contraception

New developments in contraception may mean changes to the method and the means of contraception.

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Recent advancements

•  New delivery systems of conventional contraceptives, such as vaginal rings, transdermal patches and injections

Within five years

•  Contraceptives that also protect against sexually transmitted disease

[HTML_REMOVED] Hormone based formulations for men

•  "Once a month" pill that inhibits implantation

• Antiprogestogens in a daily pill for women. (Progesterone is necessary for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. This method is controversial because antiprogestins are used in high amounts in the so-called "abortion pill")

More than five years

• Antagonists of follicle stimulating hormone receptor (this is the research of Amory and his colleagues)

• Arrest of spermatogenesis or sperm maturation

• Arrest of final maturation of oocytes (which eventually become eggs)

[HTML_REMOVED] "Science, medicine and the future," in the British Medical Journal

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Dr. John Amory, a researcher at the UW Medical Center, said research within the next five to 10 years will be on hormonal contraception, but further down the road, contraceptives could potentially be non-hormonal.

Amory himself, along with UW researchers Stephanie Page and William Bremner, are exploring methods of hormonal contraception geared toward males. Since the development of birth control around 40 years ago, women have been responsible for preventing pregnancy.

Today, two-thirds of contraceptives on the market in the United States are directed toward females, while only one third of the market is directed toward males. Now, thanks to UW medical expertise, men can be more active in helping to prevent unplanned pregnancy.

Amory, Page and Bremner are using old information [HTML_REMOVED] specifically, that chronic administration of testosterone suppresses sperm production [HTML_REMOVED] to develop new strategies for contraception.

"We have done a small study at the UW medical center," Amory said. "There are new formulations of testosterone that can hopefully be orally active."

The treatment was a combination of an implant containing the male sex hormone testosterone, which was replaced every four months, and an injection of a progestin (a hormone used in female contraceptive pills), administered every three months.

According to their findings, testosterone functions as a contraceptive by suppressing the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland.

Researchers have not yet determined the best method of delivery [HTML_REMOVED] whether it's in a pill, topical gel, injection or other method. Female hormonal contraceptives are delivered in a variety of ways, from skin patches to injections to pills.

"The form of contraception that I would most prefer is the shot because I wouldn't have to be responsible to take it every day," freshman Benjamin Lealofi said.

According to the research, male contraceptives are 100 percent effective, Amory said. Once the treatment was stopped, normal fertility levels returned within a few months.

There were some side effects, including testicular shrinkage and an increase in acne.

Until researchers fully develop a male hormonal method, however, there are many different methods of contraception to choose from, including female hormonal methods, condoms and sterilization.

"It's wonderful that there's so many different types that you can choose from," sophomore Michael Williams said.

The process of developing available, inexpensive means of male contraceptives is still underway. Several medical experts have been testing new methods and are striving to develop new approaches to contraception.

"There are a lot of avenues being pursued," Amory said. "I just don't know what method will be successful."

Reach reporter Chenelle Tyack at features@thedaily.washington.edu.