A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE OF CONTRACEPTION

WORDS RACHEL EDWARDS

In London, they say you’re never more than six feet away from a rat. In the same vein, you’re probably never more than six feet away from a woman with a contraception horror story. After a short stint taking the contraceptive pill when I was in my late teens, I randomly told myself that I wasn’t the type of person to get pregnant. Flash forward five years and I was sitting in the hospital ready to have my surgical abortion. Just before I went in, the nurse convinced me that I should have an IUD inserted too. I tried to buy some time, asking if I could come back in a few weeks after I’d had time to research, but she insisted it was no big deal and was best to have it all in one procedure. “In that case”, I said, “I’ll opt for the non hormonal one”. When I got home I checked the information leaflet for my IUD and she had in fact given me the hormonal one.

My story isn’t unusual. In fact, I have friends who have been brought to tears by their never ending periods following insertion of the implant, fluctuating emotions whilst taking hormonal contraception and “crashes” once removing them, as their bodies desperately tried to rebalance. The worrying thing is that doctors are quick to dismiss these symptoms as “normal”. It is little wonder that contraception is often referred to as something that’s done to women and not for women. With growing interest in new approaches to contraception, I explored what the future could look like and spoke to people across London to gauge their thoughts.

MALE CONTRACEPTION

Despite being over 99% effective, not affecting testosterone levels, and involving only a few days of mild discomfort, vasectomies remain uncommon. A few people I spoke to told me they had no idea that the procedure is reversible. Although there have been whispers of male contraceptives for years, why, in 2025, are there so few reliable contraceptive options for men? 

I spoke to a group of friends standing outside CSM about the non-hormonal male contraceptive implant that is being designed. Called "Adam", the implant has recently cleared its first round of clinical trials, showing it can block sperm for up to two years using a water-soluble hydrogel injection. It’s a kind of “fit and forget” method that could finally take the burden off women. “I will believe it when I see it” says Louise, 26. “I wouldn’t necessarily trust a man if they told me they were on contraception, but society needs to get to the point where men’s contraception is normalised in the same way that options for women are”.  The cis men I spoke to seemed genuinely open to trying it, but it's hard to tell when it's a hypothetical situation. The proof is yet to be seen, and it could still be years until this materialises. Even so, it is opening a wider conversation about the shared onus of contraception. 

PERSONALISED CONTRACEPTION

“It sounds scary! Like something from a 2050 sci-fi film” Yanis, 22, says. Yes, the term '3D contraception' sounds intimidating, but it comes with good intentions. As it stands, there is a “one size fits all” attitude to IUDs and implants. However, researchers at the University of Nottingham are developing polymeric implants using 3D printing that can deliver drugs at personalised rates using biodegradable materials, opening up possibilities for contraceptives that match individual bodies rather than forcing bodies to try (and often fail) to adapt to standard designs. 

Contraceptive vaginal rings that can be adjusted for comfort and compatibility are also in development. This would mean that women could adjust their contraception in order to minimise side effects and find the one that works for them. With a world where everything has the option to be personalised and tailored to individual needs, will contraception finally catch up?

AI CONTRACEPTION

No, I’m not talking about sex with Chat GPT, although it doesn’t seem totally implausible. What’s actually on the horizon is contraception that learns your body. Apps like Natural Cycles already use temperature tracking and map fertile windows, but could the future be wearable devices that monitor your temperature and hormone levels to work in the background, before collating all information into an app that tells you when you’re most fertile. “This would be great” says Taina. “I wouldn’t trust myself to keep track of things like taking my temperature every day, so if there was a way to have it running in the background it would be way better”. Although some people did voice concerns over giving away even more of their data to apps, it is at least a hormone free option.

THE CONDOM COMEBACK

Condom usage is at an all time low, with only 15% of the UK population using condoms. Despite this, they are still one of the safest options, both in terms of preventing pregnancy and STDs and being completely hormone free. They get bad press, with the majority of people I spoke to saying that they don’t use, or carry, condoms ever. Susan Allen-Augustin, co-founder of Here We Flo, which as an eco-friendly and organic period care and condom brand, is on a mission to de-ick the condom. XO! By Flo is their new branded condoms, designed to appeal to everyone, and are carbon neutral, made from natural rubber latex, vegan, and lubricated. Here We Flo run events and talks to de-stigmatise the condom and to open up a wider conversation about contraception in general. Durex have also launched their thinnest condom yet - 'Durex Intensity' -which is designed for body heat transfer to enhance natural sensation. Is the future the comeback of the condom??

INCLUSIVE CONTRACEPTION

Current contraception was mostly designed with cis women in mind, but for trans and non-binary people, finding a method that doesn’t clash with hormones, worsen dysphoria, or is accessible to begin with can be exhausting. In the UK, CliniQ in London are providing gender-neutral spaces offering STI tests, contraception, and advice without assumption. The future of contraception needs to include hormone-free methods, neutral packaging, and the removal of gendered language. One girl I spoke to mentioned her trans masc friend who was confused about fertility when beginning to take gender affirming hormones. There needs to be a wider conversation over language used and a much more comprehensive guide to contraception for everyone.

Maybe the future of contraception isn’t just about new technology, but about shifting who carries the weight of it. From personalised implants to hydrogel injections, the real change is the conversation - one that finally acknowledges all types of bodies. After years of being told what we should endure in the name of protection, it’s time for contraception to work with us, not against us.