Recent progress in advanced biomaterials for long-acting reversible contraception

Table 2 Biomaterials used in contraception

Type	Characteristics	Examples	Products	Defects	Ref.
Metallic biomaterials	Spermicidal effect and antibacterial properties	Cu (Cu²⁺), Iron oxide	Cu-IUD, nanoparticles	Biological toxicity of oxidation products	[23, 24]
Polymeric biomaterials	Adequate mechanical and physical properties, bio-inertness, and good biocompatibility	Latex, silicone, PE	Condoms, implants, IUD	Non-biodegradability and poor drug-delivery efficiency	[25,26,27]
Composite biomaterials	Bioactive interaction and plasticity	SMA, PLGA, GDL	RISUG^®, Vaginal gel	Potential foreign body reactions	[28, 29]
Biodegradable biomaterials	Nature source, good biodegradability, and biocompatibility	CS, β-GP	Microneedle patch	Difficulty to obtain the high purity materials	[30]

Cu: Copper; Cu²⁺: Copper ion; Cu-IUD: Copper-containing IUD; PE: polyethylene; IUD: intrauterine device; SMA: styrene maleic anhydride; PLGA: polylactic acid co-glycolic acid; GDL: gluconolactone; CS: chitosan; β-GP: β-sodium glycerophosphate

ISSN: 1477-3155