Let's Talk About: Sexual Health

This September we launched our sexual health awareness campaign across our website and social media.

At our Centre for Reproductive Health we have multiple research groups working on contraception, cervical cancer prevention and abortion care. This September we took the opportunity to highlight these research areas and ask key scientists and clinicians about the trials they are currently working on.

World Sexual Health Day

On 4 September, we celebrated World Sexual Health Day by showcasing the work of three CRH lab groups.

Anderson Lab - Male Contraception

Currently, men are unable to contribute to the use of modern family planning methods. Led by Principal Investigator Richard Anderson, the Anderson research group are involved in trials to develop and test new methods of hormonal contraception for men.

Cuschieri Lab - HPV

Led by Principal Investigator Kate Cuschieri, the Cuschieri Lab researches the prevention, detection and management of cervical cancer and other HPV related diseases.

Cameron Lab - Contraception and Abortion Care

The Cameron Lab are empowering women in  contraceptive choices, improving access to  postnatal contraception and developing  new contraceptives. Led by Principal Investigator Sharon Cameron, they collaborate internationally to improve access to contraception through community pharmacies and improving abortion care. 

Interview with Professor Richard Anderson 

We interviewed Richard Anderson about his role as both Professor and Clinician in sexual health, and heard how his research into male contraceptives could mean better options and access for those looking for contraception in the future.

"The whole idea of contraception is providing a choice so couples find something that works for them - that they individually have chosen and are happy with, and are going to use reliably. There is now a huge resurgence of interest in broader fields of novel methods of contraception for men (hormonal and non-hormonal) which are now also entering clinical trials. That's something that hasn't happened in the past and is really positive."

Richard Anderson
Richard Anderson

World Contraceptive Day

For World Contraceptive Day (26 September) we asked John Reynolds-Wright to share the history of male contraception and the current male hormonal contraceptive trial being researched at the Centre for Reproductive Health and Chalmers Centre for Sexual Health.

John Reynolds-Wright explain the history of male contraception and current contraception research.

Contraceptive Trials

As part of our World Contraception Day awareness campaign, we also spoke to Professor Sharon Cameron about the current and upcoming contraceptive trials her team are working on.

Currently her team are recruiting for a clinical trial of a twice yearly injection for female contraception. If successful, the study will expand the range of contraceptive options available to women, giving them greater choice over how to control their fertility.

The research group is also working on a new study to test a specially-designed plastic ‘straw’ to insert the IUD after birth. This could make the procedure easier to perform and even more comfortable for women than the current technique. If successful, this plastic inserter could become available to use in the NHS, helping to make the IUD a more easily available contraceptive option for women after childbirth.

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