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  • Title: The contraceptive vaccine.
    Journal: Newsl Womens Glob Netw Reprod Rights; 1991; (35):15. PubMed ID: 12317325.
    Abstract:
    The intention of introducing contraceptive vaccines was to offer a reversible alternative to sterilization for couples who completed their families. Because of its reversible nature, it could be stopped at a convenient time. However to date there is no definitive way of determining when the effect has disappeared. There are 2 types of vaccines: active and passive. Both contraceptive vaccines currently being developed are of the active variety. Active vaccines introduce weak or deal pathogenic germs or antigenic parts of these germs so the body can identify them and produce antibodies against them. Of the 2 active vaccines being developed there are 2 different types. One immunizes the woman against the sperm, the other immunizes the women against the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) which is a hormone produce by a fertilized ovum and in necessary for pregnancy. Research in this direction was prompted by the fact that 5% of men and women attending infertility clinics shows signs of immunity against sperm-specific antigens or HCG. The vaccines currently being developed do have draw backs and side effects. Neither are effective immediately and require a 2-week period to become effective. During this 2-week period another form of contraception must be used. 2nd, the consequences to pregnancy either before or after the injection are unknown. Researchers do agree that if the woman is pregnant at the time of injection or becomes pregnant after the injection that she should be advised to have an abortion. As mentioned earlier there is currently no method of determining how long the vaccination will stay in effect. Further, if there are any side effects during this period, there is no way to shut-off vaccine.
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