Science, medicine, and the future: Contraception

The prevalence of contraceptive use is increasing worldwide, and in many countries over 75% of couples use effective methods.1 However, existing methods of contraception are not perfect, and their acceptability is limited by side effects and inconvenience. Even in developed countries where contraception is freely available, many unplanned pregnancies occur. There is thus a real need for new methods of contraception to be developed that are more effective, easier to use, and safer than existing methods. This article discusses current research into new forms of contraception and predicts what methods are likely to be used in the future.