Scientists say they have made a breakthrough on developing a contraceptive pill that only needs to be taken once a month.
The star-shaped capsule could help reduce unintended pregnancies that arise from users forgetting to take their daily dose of the pill.
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Tests conducted on pigs showed that the capsule could provide the same effect as taking daily doses. “We are hopeful that this work — the first example ever of a month-long pill or capsule to our knowledge — will someday lead to potentially new modalities and options for women’s health,” said Robert Langer, a MIT professor and co-author of the study.
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To make it work, researchers looked for materials that could survive a highly acidic fluid, and discovered that two types of polyurethane could work well for the arms and the central core of the star-shaped capsule. Once the capsule reaches the stomach, it expands and becomes lodged in place. The contraceptive drug, which is loaded in the pill, is then released at a controlled rate over time.
The capsule is designed to break down after three or four weeks, and will exit the body through the digestive tract.
Read full, original post: Scientists say a once-a-month birth control pill works on pigs. They want to test it on people next
