Being able to decide for yourself when you want to have a child promotes the health of both the mother and the newborn. Nevertheless, it is not so. Because approximately half of all pregnancies are unplanned. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 20,000 children are born every day as a result of teenage pregnancies in developing countries. They aim for all pregnancies to be something that is desired. In other words, there is a need for safe contraceptives. Without too many and serious side effects. In the 1960s came the first birth control pills. They prevent fertilization through the influence of sex hormones and through changes in the mucus in the cervix. Recently, these preparations have come in new forms, such as plasters and syringes. But they are still based on the same hormones. Now researchers in Sweden may be on the trail of something new. A preparation that can perhaps be an alternative to these hormone pills. And here key words such as crab and lobster appear … Crustaceans and mushrooms Yes, you read correctly. Because crabs, shrimps, lobsters and certain mushroom species have something in common: A large sugar molecule called chitosan. Your new birth control? A substance found in crustaceans such as lobster and crab can prevent unwanted pregnancy. Photo: Simon Skjelvik Brandseth / news Experiments have shown that this molecule can strengthen the mucus in the cervix in women. This is the fluid that prevents sperm cells from reaching the egg. Cervical mucus changes properties in different parts of a menstrual cycle. With the help of chitosan, the researchers can set certain properties to “blocking mode”. – We got the idea by looking at how the perfect contraceptive would look from a user’s perspective. Instead of inserting a physical barrier such as a pessary, we would rather reinforce nature’s own barrier. That’s what chemist Ulrike Schimpf at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm says. Gel with chitosan stops the sperm cells from coming out, without irritating the vagina or uterus. The substance does not prevent the movements of the sperm cells, but blocks them from penetrating to the egg. Ulrike Schimpf believes there is a need for a hormone-free alternative to contraception for women. Tested in sheep The chitosan gel of the researchers at the Royal Institute of Technology has been tested on sheep. The effect seems to be good, says Ulrike Schimpf. – We believe that strengthening the body’s own blocking system can be just as effective as birth control pills. And far safer than pessaries, condoms and spermicidal creams. The research has not yet been tested on humans, and is therefore a few years ahead of schedule. But scientists are already envisioning ways to use it. – The closest idea is to make a gel that can be applied before intercourse and provide protection for a given period. The gel will eventually disappear through the natural replacement of the mucus in the vagina. In other words, it will be an “if needed” protection, says Schimpf. The researchers also believe that this type of contraception will be almost without side effects. The illustration shows how gel with chitosan prevents sperm from reaching the egg. Photo: U. Schimpf, et al., Science Translational Medicine Hormones for 60 years It often becomes the woman’s task to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Birth control pills, birth control stick, birth control patch, birth control syringe or hormonal coil. There are many different contraceptives that the woman herself can control. They are safe, but can also bring with them a number of side effects. – Access to hormonal contraception was a turning point in women’s right to decide for themselves over their own bodies. But – even though many people experience both physical and psychological side effects of such contraception, there have been few good alternatives after that. That’s what Thomas Crouzier, who is also a researcher in the new study, says. Doctor Siri Kløkstad at the foundation Sex og samfunn, is aware that it would be fantastic to have a cheap and safe contraceptive. Nevertheless, she emphasizes that today’s hormone preparations are also safe and work well. – Hormonal contraception also has positive effects beyond being a contraceptive. For example, to control bleeding and pain, says Kløkstad. Although the doctor is positive about new solutions, she believes it is a bit early to let the cheers go. – It can look different when you try things on people. You don’t always find the same thing as you do in laboratory experiments on animals. Siri Kløkstad says many people have good effects from contraception with hormones in it. She is nevertheless positive about several alternatives. Photo: Private
ttn-69
Hopes new hormone-free contraceptive with chitosan can replace birth control pills and condoms – news Trøndelag
