Topical Microbicides
Contraception and Microbicides
Contraceptive activity in a microbicide strategy may be an important factor affecting its acceptance/use in specific populations or ethnic groups. Several microbicides in the pipeline have spermicidal activity (Savvy™, CAP films, Cellulose sulfate, Carraguard™). Ideally, microbicides would be available in contraceptive and non-contraceptive formulations in recognition that a woman’s reproductive choices may change over her lifetime. This would reduce behavioral and social dilemmas associated with microbicide use and give women the ability to protect themselves and their families from HIV and other STIs in the process of trying to conceive a child.