The American company Evofem has announced that it has developed a contraceptive gel without hormones for women, called Amphora. Successfully tested, it could arrive on the American market in 2020 before being marketed in Europe.
This should make millions of people happy. As more and more women complain about the side effects of their hormonal birth control (decreased libido, weight loss, negative impact on morale, etc.) and are worried about the pill scandals of 3andand 4andgeneration, the American company Evofem has announced that it has developed a hormone-free contraceptive gel for women called Amphora. Successfully tested in clinical trials, this method could arrive on the American market in 2020.
The researchers tested the gel, to be applied inside the vagina and on the cervix, up to one hour before intercourse, on 1,400 women aged 18 to 35 over 7 cycles. menstrual. At the end of the study, Amphora showed an efficiency rate of 86% according to Evofem. No serious side effects were otherwise observed.
“A non-hormonal method like Amphora does not influence the menstrual cycle and avoids systemic side effects like mood swings, depression, weight gain, low libido and vaginal dryness,” welcomes the laboratory.
This gel could also protect against some STIs along the way
In detail, the gel is composed of lactic acid, citric acid and potassium bitartrate. It would maintain the pH of the vagina between 3.5 and 4.5, making it hostile to sperm and preventing them from reaching the egg. It could also help fight against several viral and bacterial pathogens, the cause of certain Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Ongoing studies should test its effectiveness on chlamydia, gonorrhea and also bacterial vaginosis. For the rest, the use of condoms remains essential.
Based on these results, Evofem would like to be able to launch Amphora on the American market during the year 2020. To do this, the company raised 80 million dollars at the beginning of the summer. With its “very effective new method (…) which finally responds to women’s desire to avoid hormones”, the group hopes to “disrupt the contraceptive market”. After its marketing in the United States, the product should then arrive in Europe and the rest of the world. This process will be entrusted to “highly qualified partners”, says director Saundra Pelletier at The San Diego Union-Tribune.
In search of new alternatives to the classic female pill
If this happens, Amphora will join the very closed circle of hormone-free contraceptives available today, such as condoms (85% effective according to the site chooseisacontraception.fr) and the copper intrauterine device. The latter, whose break is provided by a specialist (general practitioner, gynecologist or midwife), is however not recommended for many women.
Indeed, those with a malformation of the uterus or a fibroid, an STI dating less than three months, cancer of the cervix, or those with unexplained vaginal bleeding or who have just given birth should avoid it. It is also not recommended for patients suffering from endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome because of the severe pain it could cause during menstruation.
Faced with women’s growing disavowal of the traditional pill, researchers are trying to develop other alternatives. Recently, scientists made headlines by making a birth control pill for men. Provisionally titled “11-beta-MNTDC”, it successfully passed the first phase 1 clinical trials on 40 volunteers. “Our results suggest that this pill, which combines two hormonal activities in one, will decrease sperm production while preserving libido,” explain the researchers. If they still have to continue their work and conduct tests on sexually active couples, this study is therefore encouraging. According to them, “reversible and safe hormonal male contraception should be available within ten years”.
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