Colombian plants with spermicidal activity, new options in anticonception: brief review]

Currently there exists increasing preoccupation concerning sexual and reproductive health among teenagers; in spite of the availability of different contraceptive methods, the number of undesired pregnancies is steadily increasing. Among the products presently available for birth control, spermicides are a means that can be totally controlled by the woman and are very reliable compared to other contraceptives in common use. However, they cause irritation in the vaginal epithelium due to their tensoactive effect on cellular membranes which might enhance the risk of acquiring sexually transmissible diseases. In searching for new alternatives, it was observed that a wide variety of plants have spermicidal activity. Hence it is interesting to consider potential contraceptives of vegetable origin, as they may constitute a key tool to prevent undesired pregnancies in general, and in particular in vulnerable groups such as teenagers and young women.