Hydrogels in Contraceptive Applications and Their Mechanisms of Action

Abstract

The prevention of unplanned pregnancies is a global problem that requires immediate attention. The livelihoods of both men and women are affected by this issue. The best way to prevent unplanned pregnancies is by means of contraception. The majority of contraceptive options currently available target female contraception, with men’s options mostly limited to condoms and vasectomies. A relatively unexplored solution to this problem is the use of hydrogels in contraceptive applications. Hydrogels are water-insoluble polymer networks that have the ability to absorb water and, once swollen, start to mimic the structure and flexibility of natural tissue. Hydrogels have been used in a multitude of biomedical applications for this reason. The purpose of this review is to explore some of the hydrogel systems that have been designed for this purpose, placing emphasis on the mechanisms of action that provide contraception. Understanding the mechanisms of action behind hydrogel contraceptives allows for the design and development of new methods and the improvement of existing formulations. The majority of the hydrogels that have been designed for contraceptive purposes again target the child-bearing half of the couple; however, this growing field of research is relatively new and unexplored, and some of the technologies that are currently being investigated might soon find their way to the market. The use of hydrogels in contraceptive applications is a promising solution to this global issue.