Still waiting for the contraceptive revolution

Fam Plann Perspect. 1995 Nov-Dec;27(6):246-53.

Abstract

PIP: There was considerable anticipation in the mid-1960s with the marketing and uptake of the oral contraceptive pill and the IUD that many other new forms of contraception would be available to the general public before the turn of the century. Much of that enthusiasm about contraceptive advances has since waned. Only three new contraceptive methods received US Food and Drug Administration approval during the 1990s, none as soon as advocates had expected, while the only other important changes were the gradual adjustment of pill formulations to expose users to a smaller total dosage of hormones and the introduction of new hormones already widely used in Europe. The lack of decisive advances is not the result of a paucity of candidate methods. In 1993, for example, an estimated 100 experimental contraceptive methods were being studied around the world. Many of those methods had, however, been in the works for years, while others were only slight modifications of products already on the market. Regulatory and legal issues, public opinion and politics, and financial issues have been identified as key obstacles to why the contraceptive reality has failed to match 1960s expectations. The author explains who sponsors contraceptive research and describes the ongoing development of spermicides and barrier methods, injectables, vaginal rings, implants, IUDs, methods for men, vaccines, and menses induction.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Contraceptive Agents* / economics
  • Contraceptive Devices* / economics
  • Contraceptive Devices* / trends
  • Device Approval / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Drug Approval / economics
  • Drug Approval / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Drug Industry / economics
  • Drug Industry / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Public Opinion
  • Research Support as Topic
  • United States

Substances

  • Contraceptive Agents