New condoms for men and women, diaphragms, cervical caps, and spermicides: overcoming barriers to barriers and spermicides.
Barriers and spermicides are being developed for the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection. The inconvenience of current methods limits their acceptability and leads to higher user failure rates. New methods, such as female condoms, nonlatex male condoms, and new cervical caps are being developed: the Reality (Wisconsin Pharmacal, Jackson, WI) polyurethane vaginal pouch has already received conditional Food and Drug Administration approval for use in the United States. The material used in a Food and Drug Administration-approved nonallergenic glove is being tested for its effectiveness as a condom. In addition, the Fem Cap, a cervical cap that had a life table probability of failure within 1 year of 4.8%, is expected to be available within the next 2 years. It is important for clinicians to be informed of new options becoming available for those patients who may be good candidates for these barrier methods.
Hatcher
R A
RA
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30303.
Warner
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DL
D003273:Contraceptive Devices / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality
D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents