Although it is estimated that the population growth rate will decline to a replacement level by 2050, it is also now predicted that the total world population will reach 8.9 billion in that year -- far higher than the 2004 estimate of 6.4 billion. More than 26 billion new couples will need
contraceptives in the next half century. Although a steady increase in
contraceptive use has been observed in both developed and developing countries, the
contraceptive needs of a high percentage of couples have not yet been met and the number of unplanned pregnancies continues to increase. The actual use of
contraception differs from region to region. Although no new method has been registered for many years, several new products have been marketed during the last 5. Among these are new implants, medicated intrauterine systems,
contraceptive vaginal rings, transdermal patches and several new
combined oral contraceptive formulations. New
contraceptive methods have been developed to meet the objectives of expanding
contraceptive choices for both women and men and answering an unmet need for
contraceptives with a long-term action that meet the expectations of consumers. Simplicity, reversibility and effectiveness are the desired features of a
male contraceptive, but no new
male contraceptive method is yet available. New areas of basic research include studies on genes,
proteins and
enzymes involved in the reproductive system. The new methods will be targeted to specific interactions within the reproductive system at the level of ovaries and testes, as well as between spermatozoa and ova. This futuristic approach still keeps in mind the need for better access to existing
contraceptive methods, as well as the discovery of new
contraceptives that are simple to use, safe, reversible and inexpensive. In the future,
contraceptives may be combined with other medicinal agents to provide dual protection against both pregnancy and other preventable conditions, such as
sexually transmitted infections.