From depression to weight gain and other health complications such as thrombosis, millions of women struggle with side effects from the contraceptive pill. If non-hormonal options like condoms or the copper coil don't appeal, this new study could be what you've been looking for.
The University of California claim that two molecules - lupeol found in aloe vera and pristimerin from thunder god vine - both prevent sperm activation, a key step in fertilisation. This means a hormone free, plant-based contraceptive could be on the market in the next few years.
Researchers say the chemicals could be used as emergency birth control taken as a pill before or after sex, or as a permanent contraceptive via a patch or vaginal ring.
"Because these two plant compounds block fertilisation at very, very low concentrations - about ten times lower than levels of levonorgestrel [the morning after pill] - they could be a new generation of emergency contraceptive we've nicknamed 'molecular condoms'," says lead scientist Dr Polina Lishko. "If one can use a plant-derived, non-toxic, non-hormonal compound in lesser concentration to prevent fertilisation in the first place, it could potentially be a better option."
Although promising, we could be waiting years before this becomes licensed and is available for use. Fingers crossed.
