New Methods of Family Planning

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HealthWiki > Where Women Have No Doctor > Chapter 13: Family Planning > New Methods of Family Planning

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In this chapter:

 

In this chapter:

New methods of family planning are being developed all the time. They may only be available in some places and may be expensive. We include them here because the more you know about new methods and ask for them, the more likely it is that the methods will become available for everyone and perhaps be less costly. The more methods there are, the more likely it is that everyone who wants to prevent pregnancy will be able to find a method that suits their needs.

Once-a-month birth control pills prevent pregnancy in the same way as minipills but only have to be taken about one time each month. Because they need to be taken less often, you are less likely to miss pills, so you are less likely to have an unintended pregnancy.

A new kind of patch can be pressed on the skin right before sex and removed after a few minutes. It uses a strong form of progestin. Unlike the combined hormonal patch currently available, this new patch is safe for people who cannot use methods that contain estrogen, and can be used more discreetly because it is not worn all the time.

A non-hormonal gel inserted in the vagina just before sex keeps the vagina acidic, which slows sperm movement and prevents sperm from reaching the egg.

A gel of progestin and testosterone prevents the testicles from producing sperm. It is rubbed onto a person’s shoulders and arms once a day.

Vasalgel/RISUG is a gel that blocks the flow of sperm from the testicles to the penis. This method prevents pregnancy in a way that is similar to vasectomy, but is reversible.

This page was updated:17 May 2024