Scientists have made progress in developing a birth control pill that only needs to be taken once a month and are preparing the pill for human trials.
A news release from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) stated that the new birth control pill could help reduce unintended pregnancies arising from users forgetting to take their daily dose.
The gelatin-coated capsule is capable of remaining in the stomach for weeks after being ingested. Inside the stomach, it releases hormones slowly to avoid pregnancy. The contraceptive has been tested on pigs and showed that its effectiveness is the same as daily doses.
Robert Langer, an MIT professor and co-author of the study, said: "We are hopeful that this work -- the first example ever of a month-long pill or capsule to our knowledge -- will someday lead to potentially new modalities and options for women's health."
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation mostly funded the study, urging the research team to develop new long-lasting contraceptive drugs to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancies. To achieve this objective, they searched for materials that could survive a highly acidic fluid.
Upon reaching the stomach, the capsule expands and lodges in place. The contraceptive drug inside the pill will then be released at a controlled rate over time. It is designed to  break down after three or four weeks and exit through the digestive tract.
According to Langer, they are conducting further research to develop the pill for human tests, which he hopes to be achieved within three to five years.
A US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey revealed that oral contraceptive is the second most common contraceptive method for women aged between 15 and 49 in the US.
Kimberly Scarsi, a professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Nebraska, pointed out: "A once-monthly oral contraceptive would provide a discreet, noninvasive birth control option that could significantly improve medication adherence to give women more control over their health and family planning decisions."
