Scientists develop long-acting contraceptive patch

Scientists have developed a contraceptive patch that only needs to be applied on your skin for a few seconds.

The patch releases levonorgestrel — a synthetic form of progesterone, which is currently used in the morning after pill.Microscopic and biodegradable needles release it into the skin. The needles are made from the same material used to make dissolvable stitches and are pain-free.

Women who use it can expect to experience a disruption in their menstrual cycles.

“The concentration levels of the drug are higher than that known to cause contraception in humans," lead author Mark Prausnitz, of Georgia Tech in Atlanta, told a news portal. Adding, “Our goal is for women to be able to self-administer long-acting contraceptives with the microneedle patch that would be applied to the skin for five seconds just once a month."

It was originally created for women who live in parts of the world where they are unable to receive health care access. Now scientists hope this could be a new alternative for family planning for people across the globe.

However, more clinical trials are required, as the patch has only been tested on mice so far.

“We do not yet know how the contraceptive microneedle patches would work in humans,” Prausnitz said. “Because we are using a well-established contraceptive hormone, we are optimistic that the patch will be an effective contraceptive,” he further went on to explain.

If the patch is approved, it will be the first contraceptive, which is long-acting, that won't need to be administered by a medical professional.