Sex and technology have been finding more and more ways to intertwine. Contraception has been one of the fundamental ways that sex and technological advances have teamed up. But like most things when it comes to technology, is what is perceived to be the simplest or coolest approach always the best? And are the stakes to high to leave contraception to high tech and algorithms?

Contraception is Nothing New

Contraception has been around at least since the time of the ancient Egyptians, if not much earlier. Yea, that’s right. The ancient Egyptians were not spending all their time figuring out time and math. Condoms in those times times were made from animal intestine.

And then of course there has always been the most effective, abstinence, and the lest effective, pulling out methods. Even the rhythm method, of timing opportune windows of ovulation and fertility have been around.

So, as old school as they may be, ideas around contraception and pregnancy planning is not a new idea.

Now since then we have been been able to enhance these methods to make them more efficient and comfortable while also creating completely new methods to lessen to heighten the chance of pregnancy.

Old School Contraception Still Has It’s Benefits

We have come a long way since lamb intestine condoms, but we have not really swayed to far from the fundamental idea - be able to have sex while having some sort of control on the effects that follow.

Whether you rock a Durex or a XXL Magnum, and whether you put in on a live penis or a dildo, condoms are an industry standard for contraception. Sure — they are not 100%, can be worn down and broken, and can be a pain to roll onto a penis or penis-like object — but they are convenient, inexpensive and are about 85% effective. They also have the added pleasure of being much less expensive and intrusive than a vasectomy. Thing is, if you don’t use it, it definitely can’t work.

The Pill, Diaphragms, and Cervical Caps

Throw back to middle school sex ed! If you were like me, you were taught sex ex by an much older women who shared that she still preferred the use of a diaphragm over other options for contraception. Some things memory just won’t let you forget.

Diaphragms and cervical caps by many at this point are considered old school. After being covered in spermicide and inserted into a vagina, these are meant to be like The Wall in Game Of Thrones and stop the White Swimmers from meeting the egg.

“The pill” is a very popular choice of birth control, at least in the United States. There has always been controversy over the use of the pill, a once a day combination of hormones meant to trick a woman’s body into thinking it’s already pregnant. With the pill, a woman’s body does not ovulate, or drop the egg, so that they are much less likely to become impregnated.

Funny thing is that most millennials are kind of over the pill. However convenient, it can prove challenging to take a birth control pill at the same time every day, it is not a perfect science, and can lead to side effects like nausea, loss of libido, or much worse.

Old-ish School Contraception

IUDs, patches, insertable rings and implants have all become alternative options for contraception that many have chosen. All being hormonal options, these versions of contraceptions release a hormones into the body lower the chances of pregnancy.

New Sex Tech

So what’s new or new-ish sex technology when it comes to contraception?

More Options For Men

It has long been a complaint that most of the contraception options out are made for women. Many women, myself included, have felt the added pressure as the Contraception Enforcer. With the pill, IUDs, rings, and patches, it is on the women to ensure the proper and continued use. Even with condoms, the condom curtsey often pushes women to ensure that her partner straps up.

Gels

They might be slow on the uptake, but there are options in the works for men. RISUG, the reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance, has been patented in India, China, and even the United States. RISUG is gel that blocks sperm form traveling out of the vas deferens. Unlike a vasectomy, no cutting is needed, just the injection of the necessary gel. And with another injection, the gel’s effects can be reversed.

Vaselgel is the U.S. version of RUSIG but is not yet available for purchase.

Pills

Oh yes, men might soon have their own version of “the pill” too! For men, pills like DMAU, effects the hormones involved in sperm production to drastically lower the amount of sperm that is created. However, like the woman’s version of the pill, it comes with side effects, like lowered libido and weight gain and more.

Better Feeling Condoms

Old school and new school don’t always have to clash. Some are improving on what we already know and use to just make it better. Origami male condoms have been supported by the Gates Foundation as an innovative approach to family planning. They are sleaker, let you and your partner feel more, and do not have to be rolled on. Origami condoms has also created a female and anal condom as well.

There still appears to be a wait for them to legally be available for purchase but the ideas are there!

More Options for Women

Just because we have several does not mean we don’t want more!

Apps

Data is king, and when it comes to periods, it is the Queen too. Smartphone apps like Natural Cycle have been approved by the FDA as a means to time opportunities for pregnancy. This cloud based algorithm is the high tech version of an old idea. Its uses your body temp and the rhythm method to tell a woman and your partner when she is more likely to become pregnant.

Some question the policy issues behind how swiftly Natural Cycle was approved and the lack of security on such incredibly personal data, but others love it and other host of rhythm method apps.

Jewelry

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology are looking into creating jewelry that can act as hormone patches to assist as a means of contraception. Figuring jewelry is an every day accessory, why not give it a more involved purpose. Is it such a crazy idea for you watch to not only tell the time but also help control pregnancy options, at the same time?

What’s your style? Is abstinence the only answer or is sex tech the answer to all our worries?

Check out more sex and tech here!

The F.U.Q.s

• With any form of contraception, research and a conversation with a medical professional is a good look

• None of these, outside of abstinence is a perfect science. ALWAYS READ THE FINE PRINT.

• Know and list to your body. What works for someone else may not work for you.

• You have options. Enjoy them!