Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a hormone-coated backing for jewellery including earrings, watches and rings, which can deliver doses high enough to prevent pregnancy through the skin.
The method mimics nicotine patches and existing contraceptive patches, but on a much smaller scale. Scientists first tested the hormone backings on pigs before moving on to hairless rats.
They used a 16 hours on, eight hours off cycle to mimic a woman taking her jewellery off before going to bed. “The more contraceptive options that are available, the more likely it is that the needs of individual women can be met,” said lead author Professor Mark Prausnitz. “Because putting on jewellery may already be part of a woman’s daily routine, this technique may facilitate compliance with the regimen.”
While human trials are yet to begin, the initial positive results were published in the Journal Of Controlled Release.