LEARN ABOUT OUR RESEARCH RESULTS

Contraceptive Effectiveness Study of a One-Size-Fits-All Silicone Diaphragm Used with a Vaginal Gel Designed to Reduce Infection (2007-2009)

• Description: National trial where couples use either a one-size-fits-all silicone diaphragm with an acid buffering vaginal gel (microbicide) or a commercial spermicide containing nonoxynolB9 as their only method of birth control for 6 months.
• Results: Study in progress.

Male Safety Study of a Gel Designed to Protect Against HIV (2007-2008)

• Description: 36 men applied either the experimental anti-retroviral gel (microbicide) or a placebo gel for 7 consecutive nights.  Safety of the gel will evaluated by genital exams and participant reports.
  
• Results: Data analysis in progress.

Contraceptive Effectiveness/Safety Study of a Vaginal Ring that Lasts 12 Months (2007-2008)

• Description: National clinical trial where women used the experimental vaginal ring as their only method of birth control for one year.  The vaginal ring delivers a daily dose of 150 cg of Nestorone7 and 15 cg of Ethinyl Estradiol.
  
• Results: Data analysis in progress.

Contraceptive Effectiveness Study of a Vaginal Gel (C31G) Designed to Prevent Pregnancy and Reduce Infection  (2005-2008)

• Description: National clinical trial where couples used either the experimental vaginal gel or a commercial spermicide containing nonoxynol-9 as their only method of birth control for six months.
  
• Results: Data analysis in progress.

Contraceptive Effectiveness Study of a Vaginal Gel (Cellulose Sulfate) Designed to Prevent Pregnancy and Reduce Infection (2004-2006)

• Description: 200 couples agreed to use an experimental vaginal gel as their only method of birth control for 6 months.
  
• Results: The six-month typical-use pregnancy rate was 13.4%, similar to pregnancy rates for commercial spermicidal products containing nonoxynol-9. 
• View the Publication about this study.

Female Condom Studies (2003-2005)

• Description: Series of Phase I studies evaluating multiple versions of a new female condom compared to a commercial female condom.
  
• Results: The acceptability and performance of the new female condom compared favorably with the commercial female condom.

Contraceptive Effectiveness Study of a Vaginal Gel Designed to Reduce Infection Used with a Diaphragm (2001-2005)

• Description: National clinical trial where couples used either a diaphragm with an acid buffering vaginal gel (microbicide) or a diaphragm with a commercial spermicide containing nonoxynol-9 for birth control for six months.
  
• Results: The six-month typical-use pregnancy rate for the diaphragm used with the acid buffering vaginal gel was 10.1% compared to 12.3% for the diaphragm used with the commercial spermicide.
  
• View the Publication about this study.
  

Study of the Advance Provision of Emergency Contraception (2003-2004)

• Description: Over 9000 Family planning clients who received emergency contraception pills in advance of need or information only.  Follow-up interviews were conducted on a subgroup of 1130 clients to evaluate use of emergency contraception, contraceptive behavior, and attitudes about emergency contraception.
  
• Results: Clients who received emergency contraception pills in advance of need did not report more unprotected intercourse than clients who received information only.  The vast majority of clients reported positive attitudes about emergency contraception even though many clients did not use it following unprotected intercourse even with emergency contraception on hand.
• View the Publication about this study.

Male Safety and Acceptability Study of a Gel Designed to Protect Against HIV (2002)

• Description: 36 healthy low-risk men applied an acid buffering gel (microbicide) or a placebo gel for 7 consecutive nights.  Safety of the gel was evaluated by genital exams and participant reports.
  
• Results: The rates of adverse events during use of the experimental gel were not significantly different from rates observed during use of the placebo gel.
  
• View the Publication about this study as well as a study of the same gel used by HIV positive men.

Effectiveness Study of a Single Dose Progesterone Receptor Modulator for Emergency Contraception (1999-2001)

• Description: National clinical trial where participants used either an experimental emergency contraception drug (progesterone receptor modulator) or a standard drug containing levonorgestrel (similar to Plan B).
  
• Results: Experimental Emergency Contraception drug prevented pregnancies as well as the standard drug.
  
• View the Publication about this study.

Nonlatex Condom Contraceptive Effectiveness Study (1998-2000)

• Description: 830 couples used either a nonlatex or a natural latex condom for birth control for six months.
  Results: The six-cycle typical-use pregnancy rate for the nonlatex condom was 10.8% compared to 6.4% for the natural latex condom.
  View Publications from 2003 and 2004 about this study. 

Use of Semen Marker (PSA) to Evaluate Condom Failure (1998-2000)

• Description: Couples participating in a condom effectiveness study collected vaginal samples following a condom break or slip off that were tested for the presence of prostate specific antigen (PSA), a substance found only in semen.
  
• Results: Even condoms that fail reduce the risk of pregnancy and transmission of STDs compared to unprotected intercourse.
  
• View the Publication about this study.

Acceptability Evaluation of a Non-Latex Condom (1999)

• Description: Couples compared a non-latex condom with a natural latex condom and a polyurethane condom.
  
• Results: Two-thirds of both male and female participants preferred one of the two synthetic condom over the natural latex condom.
  
• View the Publication about this study.

Semen Marker Study (1998)

• Description: Women took samples from the vagina after intercourse to find out whether condoms leaked small amounts of semen during intercourse.  The samples were tested for the presence of prostate specific antigen ( PSA), a substance found only in semen.
  
• Results: Condoms, even some that had small pin-sized holes, were able to prevent semen from contacting the vagina.
• View more details about the Semen Marker Study.

Polyurethane Condom Contraceptive Effectiveness Study (1993-1996)

• Description: Couples used either a latex or a new polyurethane condom as their only method of birth control for six months
  
• Results: The polyurethane condom broke more often than the latex condom. However, in the long run, the polyurethane condom was just as effective as the latex condom in preventing pregnancy.
• View more details about the Polyurethane Condom Efficacy Study.

Polyurethane Condom Break-Slip Study (1996)

• Description: Couples used a series of latex and polyurethane condoms to see how well they worked.
• Results: The polyurethane condom broke more often than the latex condom and, thus, may not be the best choice for individuals who want protection from STD's.
• View more details about the Polyurethane Condom Performance Study.

Study of the Benefit of Taking an Antibiotic at the Time of IUD Insertion (1992-1995)

• Description: 1,985 women were given an antibiotic (500mg azithromycin) or a placebo (sugar pill) immediately before IUD (intra-uterine device) insertion and were followed for a year.
  
• Results: The Copper-T 380A IUD is a safe, effective method of birth control when used by women at low risk of STD's. The risk of infection is so low that antibiotics are not necessary at the time of insertion.
• View more details about the IUD Study.

Vaginal Sponge Efficacy Study (1992)

• Description: Women used a new polyvinyl sponge filled with the spermicide benzalkonium chloride for birth control for one year.
• Results: The sponge was as effective as the cervical cap and the diaphragm.

Cervical Cap Effectiveness Study (1981-1985)

• Description: 1200 women used either the cervical cap or a diaphragm for birth control for up to three years.
  
• Results: The cervical cap was as effective as the diaphragm in preventing pregnancy. This study helped release the Prentif Cervical Cap in the United States.
  
• View the Publication about this study and changes in cervical cytology (1990).

To read more about our on-going studies, please go to Find Out About Our Studies

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