January 2002 Archives
New Contraceptive to Block 'Sperm and Germs': NIH to Begin Tests on Contraceptive Gel That Blocks STDs
Scientists announced today that a new type of contraceptive gel that is also designed to protect against sexually transmitted infections will be the first of its kind to begin clinical efficacy trials at the National Institutes of Health's Contraceptive Clinical Trials Network.
The gel, known by the brand name BufferGelTM, was jointly developed by researchers at The Johns Hopkins University and the private firm ReProtect LLC. The new trial will test whether women using BufferGel and a diaphragm can reduce the risk of pregnancy as effectively as women using a conventional spermicidal detergent and a diaphragm.
BufferGel is applied vaginally before sex, like conventional spermicides. Unlike these spermicides, which use detergents to kill sperm, BufferGel contains no soaps. Developers deliberately avoided including soaps or detergents because they can irritate the vaginal lining after frequent use.
--------Two Hormonal Contraceptive Options Are Approved!
By now, you may know everything about condoms and the Pill, but there are two new contraceptives you've probably never heard about—the NuvaRing and Ortho Evra, which were recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Both are hormonal contraceptives for women only.
--------Why I'm Waiting
My name is Jenn. I'm 17; I live in Kansas, and I have chosen to wait for love.
- The Network for Family Life Education
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Recent Comments
ScrewDriver writes: Filchy, Can you imagine ? SCOTLAND: AGE MATTERS, TOO Scientists working the ancient rocks of Scotland have discovered fossils of the oldest known genitals, belonging to a 400-million-year-old ancestor of the daddy long legs. The arachnids were of an order called harvestmen, and long legs were not their only outstanding feature. Preserved within the male fossil was a penis two-thirds the length of its body, which New Scientist magazine said was similar to those of modern-day harvestmen. The previous oldest penis, which dated back 100 million years and was found in Brazil, belonged to an ostracod, a minute crustacean. Something to think about, and wish for there go I! Regards SD ~<>~
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