Why We’re Excited about the Microneedle Contraceptive Patch (And why you should be too)
Executive Summary: The microneedle patch consists of hundreds of tiny needles in a device the size of a coin. A microneedle contraceptive patch is being developed by FHI 360 and other partners. It has great potential as a new contraceptive method. It would be easy, discreet, and self-administered.
What if we told you that someday, women could apply a small patch of painless and dissolvable tiny needles to their skin – and use it as their contraceptive method? While it may sound far-fetched, it’s closer than you think.
The microneedle patch consists of hundreds of tiny needles in a device the size of a coin. It’s been developed to deliver vaccines and other biotherapeutics such as insulin. Now, FHI 360, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Michigan are developing one that could be used as a contraceptive method.
Why are we excited?
The microneedle patch would be easy and discreet.
The microneedle patch could be self-administered. It also wouldn’t need to be worn to be effective. The user would apply the patch briefly to the skin. Pulling off the patch releases the microneedles under the skin, and the user can throw the backing away.