The Future of Birth Control

"The Future of Birth Control." Denise Mann, July 17, 2003 http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52189

Where are we going in the field of contraception? The past several years have seen more advances in birth control than the previous several decades. With so many new hormones, drugs, and methods of contraception, many believe that we are beginning to hit the limitation of innovation with contraception. However, reproductive health experts indicate that future contraceptives will kill two birds with one stone: prevent pregnancy in addition to protectagainst cancers, sexually transmitted infections, or some other maladies. A male contraceptive to protect against testicular cancer? Why not. But is the coupling of disease treatment with contraception such a good idea?

Canadian researchers are currently experimenting with a birth control pill that conforms to current social attitudes toward pregnancy. The pill will not only delay ovulation when undesired in the teens and 20s, but resumes ovulation when women are ready to have children, and will delay menopause, thereby extending the years of fertility, well into the 50s and 60s. The pill may function to slow down the biological clock in women by preserving the eggs that would have been wasted in their 20s until they want to have children, as more and more women do, in their 40s and 50s. This idea seems fantastic for those women who want to develop a career without the interruption of childrearing. Yet, pregnancies are already considered high risk for women in their 40s. Do we want/need pregnant 60-year-olds? This poses dilemmas not only from a biological and health standpoint, but from a cultural and societal standpoint as well.

The near completion of a birth control pill for men is encouraging researchers to explore new possibilities with this new technology. New male hormonal therapy may be engineered to prevent pregnancy as well as protect against prostate and testicular cancer. The hormonal treatment may even treat acne and baldness. Current experts predict that birth control will be prescribed for those desiring the side benefits and not necessarily the contraceptive aspect of the pill. As great as it sounds to protect against cancer in men, should we be encouraging the use of hormonal therapy in men? How will these hormones affect their bodies and their progeny? Further research is definitely required.

Other projects in the works include a topical cream that will provide dual protection against pregnancy and STDs and a vaccine against pregnancy (termed immunocontraceptives and used successfully in animals, such as deer). It is certainly good news to hear that measures are being taken to protect against cancer, extend the biological clock of fertility, and protect against sexually transmitted infections. However, do these protective measures need to be coupled with birth control? Will they be? Only the future can tell…