Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
United Press International - May 21, 2009
The new device is a vaginal ring that releases multiple types of non-hormonal agents and microbicides, which would prevent conception as well as the sexually transmitted human immunodeficiency virus.
"This device is a new approach to birth control, because it avoids the long-term use of hormonal methods that have been associated with increased risk of certain cancers," Dr. Brij Saxena of Weill Cornell Medical College, the lead author, said in a statement.
"At the same time, this is the first device to simultaneously offer the possibility to prevent unintended pregnancy and HIV transmission."
The vaginally inserted ring is incorporated with multiple antiviral drugs that prevent HIV infection and are time-released over a period up to 28 days, which, when combined, were found to block infection in human cells exposed to the virus in a laboratory setting.
"The combination of these antiviral drugs has proven to be potent agents that may block infection by the HIV virus," Saxena said.
The study, published in the journal AIDS, said the ring is also incorporated with compounds that prevent conception by arresting sperm motility, raising vaginal mucous viscosity, and sustaining the acidity of the vagina in which sperm do not survive.
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