noun
a method that works after ovulation and throughout [the] luteal 1. phase and beyond.
One of the biggest advantages is that contragestives offer a non-hormonal option, which many are eager to try.
Due to its non-hormonal nature it has the potential to reduce the risk of side-effects commonly associated with hormonal contraception.
Contragestives could be taken weekly, monthly, or only on demand, providing a middle ground between constant contraception and none at all.
This flexibility and convenience would allow people to manage their reproductive health in a more autonomous way.
In the realm of fertility control, a revolutionary new option is emerging that will change the way people manage their reproductive health: contragestives. These non-hormonal alternatives offer more flexibility and control over your bodies than ever before. Here you can find an overview of what contragestives are, how they work and the roadmap to making them a reality for you. Find out more about contragestives in our report
The concept of contragestives challenges traditional distinctions between contraception and abortion, offering a more flexible approach to fertility management. Contragestives will revolutionise healthcare, providing more choices and greater control over reproductive health.
Contragestives are a type of fertility control that works in the later stages of the menstrual cycle – after ovulation. Unlike traditional birth control methods, which typically prevent fertilisation or stop ovulation altogether, contragestives can also work after fertilisation has occurred. They provide a unique, non-hormonal alternative to methods like daily contraceptive pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and emergency contraception.
Contragestives would give women unprecedented control and flexibility over their fertility. What makes contragestives so innovative is their flexibility. They can be taken:
• Regularly: providing a routine option for women who want ongoing control over their fertility.
○ Once a week: where taking a non-hormonal pill would prevent ovulation and act similarly to hormonal contraception and emergency contraception.
○ Once a month: where depending on when during the menstrual cycle they are taken they could be acting in a number of different ways (see more under “How do they work?”).
• On demand: Only when needed, for example, if a woman has unprotected sex or misses a period. Where taking contragestives would bring on the missed period.
This flexibility gives women more autonomy over their reproductive choices, allowing them to take action only when necessary, without the need for daily use.
Contragestives operate at different points in the menstrual cycle, depending on when they’re taken. Here’s a breakdown of how they can work:
1. Before or during ovulation: Some contragestives can prevent ovulation altogether, similar to how certain emergency contraceptives work.
2. After ovulation (Luteal Phase): This is where contragestives differ from typical contraception. If taken after ovulation, they can prevent a fertilised egg from implanting in the uterine lining.
3. Post-implantation (Late Period): In some cases, contragestives may be used after implantation to induce a late period. This means that if a woman misses a period, she could take contragestives to bring it on, without needing to confirm whether or not she’s pregnant.
By offering a method that works at various stages in the cycle, contragestives could help remove the pressure to act immediately after sex – something that’s a key limitation of current emergency contraceptives. Instead, women would have more time and flexibility to manage their reproductive choices.
1. Non-hormonal: One of the biggest advantages is that contragestives offer a non-hormonal option, reducing the risk of side effects like weight gain, mood changes, and headaches. Many women are eager for an alternative to hormonal methods that can have significant impacts on their bodies and overall well-being.
2. Extended Window of Use: Unlike emergency contraceptives that need to be taken within a few days after unprotected sex, contragestives could be used further into the cycle, even after a missed period. This gives women more time to take action without the urgency that currently exists with methods like the morning-after pill.
3. Flexible Frequency: For women who don’t want to commit to taking a daily pill, or having a long-term device like an IUD, contragestives offer a more manageable option. Whether taken weekly, monthly, or only on demand, they provide a middle ground between constant contraception and none at all.
4. Discrete and Convenient: Many women appreciate the possibility of taking a pill less frequently and using contraception that doesn’t involve having to undergo a procedure. This level of privacy and convenience makes contragestives a particularly appealing option for those who prefer to manage their reproductive health in a more autonomous way.
5. Blurring the Lines Between Contraception and Abortion: Contragestives challenge the traditional distinction between contraception, emergency contraception, and abortion. By working at various stages of the cycle, they offer a revolutionary new way to manage fertility.
Nearly 75% of respondents in our forthcoming survey said they would consider taking a contragestive pill either regularly or as needed. The most appealing option for many women was a once-weekly pill, followed by monthly. The appetite is there. Let’s make it a reality.
Many people are concerned about the side effects of hormonal contraceptives, such as weight gain, mood swings, headaches, and changes in libido. Contragestives, as a non-hormonal option, could potentially reduce these side effects, offering a much-needed alternative.
The excitement isn’t just about avoiding side effects. Contragestives also offer a more flexible way to manage fertility. There wouldn’t need to be a worry about taking a pill every day or getting a long-term device like an IUD inserted. Insteadcontragestives could be used weekly, monthly, or only when needed, allowing for more spontaneity and freedom in our lives.
Contragestives are not yet available in the UK. However, several clinical trials have been held overseas and more are underway, and findings from research are promising. Two of the most researched drugs in this area are mifepristone and ulipristal acetate, both of which are already used in medical abortion and emergency contraception. Research is showing that mifepristone, when taken in different doses at different times during the menstrual cycle, could also serve as a safe and effective contraceptive. Similarly, ulipristal acetate has shown potential as a contraceptive due to its ability to modulate progesterone receptors, preventing ovulation.
For example, studies have found that mifepristone can be used as a once-monthly contraceptive pill with high efficacy and minimal side effects. Additionally, new trials are exploring whether both mifepristone and ulipristal acetate can be taken weekly as reliable fertility control methods.
Bringing contragestives to market faces several significant challenges. And this is where we need you.
As it currently stands – there are legal, political and funding barriers in the way of bringing contragestives to market.
For contragestives to become a viable contraceptive offering to their full potential – the law would need to change. Our archaic abortion laws, written at a time when there were no female lawmakers, are an unnecessary barrier to bringing contragestives to market.
We also need more research and funding to explore contragestives in a UK context.
But we can get there. And with your help, we will get there.
Roadmap to Making Contragestives Available
1. Legal Reform:
Modernise Abortion and Reproductive Health Laws: Parliament needs to remove any barriers in existing laws that would inhibit clinical trials of, or the introduction of contragestives in the UK
2. Increase Research and Development Funding:
• Government Grants: Governments should increase funding for contragestive research through public health grants and other incentives.
• Private Sector Investment: Pharmaceutical companies need incentives to invest in contragestive development. Collaboration between public institutions, nonprofits, and private investors is needed to accelerate the research process.
• Global Health Organisations: International organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO) should prioritise research and support for contragestives as part of their reproductive health and global contraception initiatives.
• Clinical Trials: Contragestives as contracepives have had several successful overseas trials. But more research is needed on contragestives in a UK context. Clinical trials will ensure we can get the most up to date data on safety and efficacy in a UK context.
3. The Contraception Conversation:
• Build a Movement: Contragestives have the potential to be the future of contraception. But we need you. Join us, today.
Get involved as the world of fertility control enters a new era with the potential arrival of contragestives—a game-changing solution for people everywhere. Join the Contraception Conversation and Re-imagine Contraception.
