New Concepts in Contraception

October 1, 2008 by Raymond

During a major symposium in Melbourne, new trends and concepts on contraception were presented to a group of scientists. This conference was called upon and spearheaded by Laureate Professor John Aitken from the University of Newcastle, and Dr. Eva Dimitriadis from Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research.

Professor Aitken, a world-leader in reproductive biology, discussed the need to develop novel, safe, effective, dual-purpose contraceptive agents that combine the prevention of pregnancy with protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). His research has explored the development of a contraceptive agent that immobilises – but does not kill – sperm. The agent also possesses microbicidal activity simultaneously reducing the risk of infection with sexually transmitted diseases, such as Chlamydia.

At the meeting Dr Eva Dimitriadis, Senior Research Officer at Prince Henry’s Institute (PHI), also presented a novel approach for new non-hormonal contraceptives for women.

Her work builds upon the need and community interest to widen the choice of available female contraceptive methods and in developing approaches that do not rely upon a woman taking potent hormones each day.

Dr. Eva Dimitriadis and her colleagues in the Uterine Biology Group at PHI have identified several “pregnancy blocking” molecules that keep the uterus in a state that prevents pregnancy. Her findings in mice provide proof of principle of this alternative contraception approach and further development is planned.

More of this at Medical News Today

In a matter of years, these developments on contraception would be set into stone and possibly put into use by the consuming public. Judging by the promising characteristics presented, I can tell that they’ll eventually go down in history as really significant breakthroughs in the field of medicine. Imagine…a double-sided approach of preventing conception and STDs all rolled in just one pill…plus another that wouldn’t be based on hormones, thereby equating to decreased risks of hormonal imbalances and acquiring reproductive cancers…who wouldn’t want that? This development will spawn more new developments, until such time that the world will be basking in the afterglow of these medical wonders. Planned as safe and effective birth control methods, they’re basically blueprinted to be practical and economical for public use. But then, only time will tell as to the long-term effects that these developments will cast on its potential users. So technically, we can still never know or tell what these innovations hold until we get there. But then again, even if that’s the case, I still have high hopes for the success of these new concepts on contraception simply for the good intentions planted behind it.

As a member of a Catholic and Dominican institution, and as a Filipino at that, I could not get away with this current reading on contraception without relating it to the current controversial issue on the Philippines’ Reproductive Health Bill. Defending the bill, I’ve read that it does not promote contraceptive mentality, and it definitely does not prohibit pregnancy. Critics are mistaken in claiming that because contraceptives would be readily available, people would prefer to have no children at all. Couples will not stop wanting children simply because contraceptives are available. Contraceptives are used to prevent unwanted pregnancies but not to stop pregnancies altogether. Timed pregnancies are assured.* The bill is not anti-life. It is pro-life. It will ensure that children will be blessings for their parents since their births are planned and wanted. It will empower couples with the information and opportunity to plan and space their children. This will not only strengthen the family as a unit but also optimize care for children who will have more opportunities to be educated, healthy and productive,* in the same manner that the developments above are geared towards doing. So seeing it at that, I’d have to say yes to the use of contraceptives…that is, if used correctly and for the most ethical and righteous reasons.

As an application, this is where my role as a client educator can be put into good use. Using my knowledge on the concepts of family planning which we have tackled in our OB-Pedia, I will state facts to my clients regarding the different methods of birth control (natural and artificial) and explain each side’s advantages and disadvantages in simple terms if given the opportunity, not forcing or confronting them so as to let them decide for themselves and their own good – setting my personal biases aside and paying respect to their own beliefs, values and principles – inspired by the advocacy of the foundress of the worldwide Transcultural Nursing movement, Madeleine Leininger, to provide culturally specific nursing care to people. So to speak, I want to be a well-rounded health care provider-slash-nurse in the future!