Controlled-Release Hormone Delivery Systems for Long-term Fertility Control: The Missing Dimension

Abstract

Viewed in retrospect, the development of hormonal methods of fertility control could be broadly divided into three main phases: (i) development of the oral contraceptive 'Pill based on synthetic ovarian steroid hormones; (ii) the demonstration that continuous oral administration of progestins in microdoses could effecti vely prevent an undesired pregnancy; and (iii) the development of sustained-release technology engendered by observations that steroid hormones diffuse at relatively constant rates throughbiocompatible polymeric rubber membrane, poly-dimethyl-siloxane (Silastic). The concept of controlled-release hormonal contraception is, due to the need to have a method of fertility control with minimal hormonal intervention.