Strive to develop female non-hormonal contraceptives that reduce the risks of gynecological pathologies and breast cancer

Abstract

Development of female non-hormonal contraceptives (NHCs) is a laudable goal because hormonal (steroidal) contraceptives are either contraindicated or not well tolerated by a substantial proportion of women. Whereas currently available hormonal contraceptives for women have their drawbacks, they do have some benefits that we should strive to preserve in NHCs. For example, combination oral birth control pills reduce the risks of some benign and malignant gynecological pathologies, such as ovarian and endometrial cancers. Regardless of whether NHCs work by preventing ovulation or fertilization, they risk losing some of the non-contraceptive benefits of hormonal contraceptives if not designed with great care. I assert that female NHCs should be designed to preserve, or at least not negate, the ovarian and endometrial cancer risk reductions conferred by some hormonal methods.

Keywords: cancer prevention; non-hormonal contraception; unintended pregnancy; women’s health.