Long-Acting Contraceptive Delivery Systems

Abstract

In May 1983 some 115 participants representing 16 countries attended the International Workshop on Long-Acting Contraceptive Delivery Systems sponsored by the Program for Applied Research on Fertility Regulation. Long-acting contraceptive delivery systems are relatively new in clinical research although some long-acting injectables have been used for nearly a decade. The worldwide use of long-acting injectable preparations (primarily Depo-provera and norethindrone enanthate) is estimated to be about 4 million. In the US and Europe between 150000 and 200000 couples control their fertility with a progesterone-releasing IUD. These are small numbers compared to other methods. Although the injectables have a number of advantages--for example prolonged effectiveness use unrelated to coitus a high degree of acceptability in most cultures and reversibility--there are significant disadvantages. The 2 important ones are menstrual cycle disruption including secondary amenorrhea and unanswered questions about long-term safety. There is no best single method for all couples. Many scientists believe that an improved injectable or implantable method could enter wide-scale human use in many countries within 5 years. Chapters are arranged under 10 broad headings: 1)acceptability of long-acting contraception; 2)polymeric delivery systems for contraception; 3)injectable/implantable long-acting contraceptive systems; 4)long-actingvaginal contraceptive delivery systems; 5)endometrial response to steroids; 6)fetal and child development issues; 7)long-acting contraceptive delivery systems; clinical studies; 8)long-acting contraceptive delivery systems: Norplant; 9)other long-acting contraceptive systems; and 10)long-actingcontraceptive delivery systems: additional clinical studies. Also included are addresses of contributing authors and workshop participants.