Researchers at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm are now testing a gel that can block the path of sperm to the uterus as a hormone-free contraceptive.
– We tested a new type of substance that has the potential to modify the cervix so that sperm cannot swim into the uterus, says gynecologist Sebastian Brusell Gidlöf from Karolinska.
She says there is a great demand for hormone-free contraceptives, especially among women who for various reasons cannot use hormonal contraception.
– In addition, there are also many women who may be able to use hormonal contraceptives, but who have experienced side effects or for other reasons do not want to use them. At the same time, they need to protect themselves from pregnancy. There is a large group of women who will benefit if it becomes available on the market, says Gidlöf.
The study is published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. It is a collaboration between researchers from Karolinska University Hospital, the Royal Institute of Technology and Karolinska Institutet.
No tests have been done in humans to date, and there are a number of other questions that need to be answered before the gel can be brought to market. One of the questions is about any side effects, there is also a question about the duration of the effect. However, it is a step in the direction of finding a sought-after non-hormonal contraceptive.
