A woman-controlled, nonhormonal on-demand contraceptive device
Official title: Multipurpose Device for Female-initiated Nonsteroidal On-Demand Contraception
Funded at St. Louis College of Pharmacy · NIH-11478955 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is creating a woman-controlled vaginal device that releases a fabric-like polymer which thickens on contact with semen to help prevent pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Louis College of Pharmacy NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (St. Louis, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $695,773 |
| NIH project number | 4R33HD117424-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11478955 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who can become pregnant and want a nonhormonal, on-demand contraceptive option and who are comfortable using an intravaginal device would be the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
This approach may not help people who cannot or prefer not to use intravaginal devices, who need continuous hormonal contraception, who are allergic to device materials, or who seek protection against sexually transmitted infections.
What this research studies
You would use a small dual-compartment vaginal device that places a thin, fabric-like polymer mat at the cervicovaginal junction when needed. The polymer is drug-free and is designed to become much thicker and stickier only after contact with semen, forming a physical barrier to sperm. The team plans to develop and test the device through lab and animal studies with the goal of moving to human testing under medical-device regulations. The approach aims to offer an on-demand option that avoids hormones and systemic exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a hormone-free, woman-controlled way to prevent pregnancy without systemic side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Early laboratory and animal studies of bioresponsive polymers show promising thickening on contact with semen, but human testing of this specific device approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Louis College of Pharmacy
St. Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pauletti, Giovanni M — St. Louis College of Pharmacy
- Study coordinator: Pauletti, Giovanni M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mobile health support to boost PrEP and contraception use among young women in Zambia
A mobile health program helps female university students in Zambia learn about and access HIV prevention and contraception.
-
Mobile health tool to boost PrEP and contraception use among female university students in Zambia
A mobile, peer-supported program helps young women in Zambia start and stick with PrEP and modern contraception to prevent HIV and unintended pregnancy.
-
Evaluating a new injectable contraceptive for women
This study is testing a new long-lasting birth control shot called levonorgestrel butanoate, especially for women who are overweight and at risk for blood clots, to see if it works well and is safe without the added hormones found in other methods.
-
Evaluating a new injectable contraceptive for women
This study is testing a new long-lasting birth control shot called levonorgestrel butanoate, especially for women who are obese and may be at risk for blood clots, to see if it can be a safer and easier option without the hormones found in many other contraceptives.
-
Evaluating a new injectable contraceptive for women
This study is testing a new long-lasting birth control shot called levonorgestrel butanoate, which is made for women, especially those who are overweight and may have a higher risk of blood clots, to see how well it works and how it moves through the body, while offering a safer and easier option than taking a pill eve
-
Tablet-based peer support to help female university students in Zambia use PrEP and contraception
A tablet-led peer navigator program to help female university students in Zambia learn about and start using PrEP and modern contraception.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.