Barrier contraception.

Barrier contraception is a safe, effective, reversible form of contraception acceptable to many couples. The use of barrier contraception may protect against carcinoma of the cervix and sexually transmitted diseases. Distribution and education in the use of barrier contraception does not always require medical supervision. This must make it an attractive form of contraception for agencies supporting family planning programmes in developing countries. The only marketed recent advance in barrier contraception is the collatex sponge. Effectiveness rates range between 9 and 27 pregnancies per 100 woman-years. This is unlikely to make it the first choice of contraception for couples who would find an unintended pregnancy a severe problem, but the sponge will be acceptable to couples who are simply trying to delay a pregnancy. The new surge of interest in barrier contraception could lead to safer more effective forms of contraception being made available to women without medical supervision. This would have many advantages, but could also detract from the ability of family planning clinics to play an important role in preventative medicine for women.