Birth control technology continues to advance, particularly as the world’s population approaches 8 billion people.

Condoms, birth control pills, IUDs, diaphragms, and sterilization procedures are some of the most commonly used contraceptive methods. However, the latest and perhaps the most groundbreaking birth control technology yet will be hitting the market next year.

What is the Birth Control Chip?

The birth control chip is the nickname given to a tiny implantable chip containing a hormone reservoir that would dispense levonorgestrel, a hormone used in several kinds of contraceptives, into a woman’s body over a period of years.

Levonorgestrel thickens cervical mucus and suppresses ovulation, thus making it effective in preventing pregnancy. The chip can be implanted beneath the skin on the buttocks, upper arm, or abdomen with a minimally invasive 30-minute procedure that can be done in the doctor’s office.

The chip’s hormones are delivered in microdoses to block pregnancy for up to 16 years, and the hormone levels can be adjusted with a remote control so the user can always be in control of the dosage.

Who Is Creating the Birth Control Chip?

The birth control chip is being developed by a Massachusetts-based biomedical device company called MicroCHIPS. The company has been working on developing the chip technology since 1999 and successfully tested it on humans in 2012.

In August 2016, the company was acquired by Daré Bioscience, a clinical-stage company developing innovative therapies for women’s health needs.

What Are the Advantages of the Birth Control Chip?

The birth control chip could revolutionize the way women take contraceptives. Currently, women using condoms, pills, or IUDs must remember to use them on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, which can lead to potential user error.

The birth control chip eliminates the need for daily, weekly or monthly compliance. Unlike many other long-acting contraceptives like IUDs, the birth control chip can be remotely controlled, which means the dosage can be adjusted at any time, giving women absolute control.

Plus, the chip is effective for up to 16 years, which is significantly longer than any other widely used contraceptive option.

What Are the Disadvantages of the Birth Control Chip?

The biggest disadvantage of the birth control chip, as with any new medical technology, is potential risks and side effects.

The Birth Control chip contains the same hormone as certain contraceptives, and those contraceptives have potential side effects, as we shall see below. However, the potential side effects with the chip technology are not very different from those already known and experienced with existing contraceptives.

What Are Some of the Potential Side Effects?

Potential side effects associated with contraceptives using the hormone levonorgestrel can include menstrual changes, headaches, breast tenderness, mood swings, acne, weight gain, hair loss, and decreased libido.

However, the microdoses delivered by the birth control chip are much lower than those delivered by existing birth control products and may result in fewer side effects. There may also be risks associated with the implantation procedure, such as infection, local skin reaction, or implant migration.

When Will the Birth Control Chip be Available?

The birth control chip is expected to hit the market in 2022.

DARÉ Bioscience will handle the commercialization process, including regulatory approvals from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States and other regulatory bodies worldwide. In addition, DARÉ will also partner with medical device companies to help manufacture and distribute the product globally.

Conclusion

The birth control chip is an exciting development in contraceptive technology that promises to offer significant advantages over existing options, particularly in terms of convenience and length of effectiveness.

While any new birth control product should be approached with caution, DARÉ Bioscience will ensure the approval process is rigorous to ensure safety and effectiveness. For women in need of more control over their reproductive health, the birth control chip may very well be a game-changer.