All women and couples—no matter where they live—should be able to access a full range of family planning options.
Here are a few of the family planning innovations PATH has had a hand in designing, developing, testing, or delivering to women and their partners around the world.
1. The Woman’s Condom
Photo: PATH/Patrick McKern.
The female condom is the only available woman-initiated method that provides dual protection from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Through a user-centered process, PATH and our partners developed the Woman’s Condom, a next-generation female condom designed to be easy to use and comfortable for both partners.
Read our new report on PATH’s role in developing and increasing access to the Woman’s Condom
2. SILCS diaphragm
Photo: MatCH Research, South Africa.
PATH developed the SILCS diaphragm, a single-size silicone contraceptive barrier designed to expand women’s options for nonhormonal protection. Marketed as the Caya® contoured diaphragm, this diaphragm recently launched in the US and is in more than 25 countries, expanding contraceptive choices for women.
3. Sayana® Press
Photo: PATH/Will Boase.
Sayana Press is a family planning method that combines a lower dose of the three-month Depo-Provera® contraceptive and needle together in the PATH-developed Uniject™ injection system. Community-based health workers and users themselves can administer Sayana Press with this easy-to-use prefilled device, increasing contraceptive access and options for women who must travel long distances for family planning services.
Ensuring access is integral to our work
Photo: PATH/Gabe Bienczycki.
Access to family planning options relies upon many factors, such as strong, healthy markets, but in many areas of the world, weak and often underfunded delivery systems can result in public health hospitals and clinics running out of these options.
A total market approach is based on an understanding that meeting the diverse needs of different population segments equitably requires increased attention on coordinating across market sectors—public, subsidized private, and commercial. PATH’s recently published guide and toolkit help to frame and shape this comprehensive process.
Read our new total market approach guide and toolkit
As secretariat of the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition, PATH also helps to develop efficient supply chains to ensure women are able to access the contraceptive and reproductive health supplies they need.
Sayana Press and Depo-Provera are registered trademarks of Pfizer Inc. and/or its affiliates. Uniject is a trademark of BD.
Caya® contoured diaphragm is a registered trademark of Kessel medintim GmbH.
