Unwanted pregnancy has serious health and social implications all around the world. The skilled research undertaken by the pharmaceutical industry has led to sophisticated medicines to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Yet research continues into contraceptive medicines for women and, more recently, men.
Disease: Contraception
Last update: July 2009
Intro
FAQ
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What is it?
Contraception is the prevention of conception by physical, behavioural or medicinal means. -
Who needs it?
All sexually active women between the ages of 13 and 50 share some risk of unwanted pregnancy. The rate of teenage pregnancies is still unsatisfactorily high: 4.1 per cent in Western Europe and 14.7 per cent in Eastern Europe. -
What medicinal methods are there?
There are many forms of contraception. The pill is still the most effective of all. The most widely used pill is the 'combined' pill containing a fixed dose of progestogen and oestrogen. Recently, a once-weekly contraceptive patch has become available in Europe. -
What does the future hold?
Female contraception still sees advances, even though existing medications are highly sophisticated. Male contraception is at an earlier stage of development; clinical trials are underway with an implant that shuts down sperm production. Future advances are likely to come from a greater understanding about how sperm moves and how it fuses with the ovum.