Family planning for women might one day be as simple as putting on jewellery, according to scientists who have developed a technique for administering contraceptives through earrings, rings or necklaces.
The contraceptive hormones are contained in patches applied to portions of the jewellery in contact with the skin, allowing the drugs to be absorbed into the body, according to a report published in the Journal of Controlled Release.
Initial testing suggests the contraceptive jewellery may deliver sufficient amounts of hormone to provide contraception, though no human testing has been done yet.
A goal for the new technique is to improve user compliance with drug regimens that require regular dosages.
Beyond contraceptives, the jewellery-based technique might also be used for delivering other drugs through the skin.
