Current concepts in contraception

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, contraceptive use has increased substantially over the past two decades. The increased demand for wider choices of contraceptive methods has resulted in extensive research and rigorous clinical trials. This has led to improvements on existing contraceptive methods and also the development of several new, more effective and acceptable methods with fewer side effects. Thus, this article presents a review of existing literature on recent developments on existing contraceptive methods. It also reviews recently developed contraceptive methods currently in use worldwide.

Methods: Relevant literature was reviewed using manual library search, electronic sources such as CD-ROMS and internet articles.

Conclusion: More effective methods of contraception which are generally safer and easier to administer are increasingly being developed. Hopefully, as they increasingly become available in our environment, they will lead to and increase in acceptance and use of contraception by our women.