Regine Sitruk-Ware discusses various reproductive technologies developed by universities and nonprofit organizations.
"When we consider contraception," says Sitruk-Ware, "we will be surprised by how many global differences there are (even between America
and Western Europe) in the use of oral contraceptives, IUDs, sterilization, condoms, and other methods." Furthermore, there are many
differences between contraceptive use in developing and developed countries. Unsafe abortion is a significant problem in developing
countries, and even some countries in Europe are plagued by unsafe abortions. Sitruk-Ware asks: "What can we do to prevent this
situation and to improve it?" We need to improve methods and make them more accessible.
Sitruk-Ware addresses several areas of research and development. She provides a description of many innovative forms of
contraception, including vaginal rings and transdermal contraception (patches and gels containing progestin). She also explains
antiprogestin, including the political hurdles preventing its development, and dual protective methods, which function as microbicides
(to fight STIs) and contraceptives. Male contraception spurs controversy, and many men have been interviewed about their willingness to
use new methods.
The future of contraception may be the development of a nonhormonal method. The Institute of Medicine organized a
committee to write a report on New Frontiers in Contraceptive Research. An innovative contraceptive would block enzymes without
changing the person's hormonal environment; Sitruk-Ware predicts that this may all be a reality by 2025.
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