New “liquid condom” to protect women from transmitted diseases including HIV

The new “liquid condom” developed by the scientists will not only empower women by aiding in controlling their pregnancy without their partner’s permission it will also protect them from sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.

The new contraceptive gel can trap semen as well as any particles wider than 50 nanometres, which include the HIV, herpes and papilloma viruses.

The new "molecular condom" gel changes in response to changes in pH - acidity or alkalinity - in the vagina caused by the introduction of semen during sex.

It remains in liquid form while in contact with acidity levels normally found in the vagina but it turns into semisolid when it encounters semen which his alkaline, forming a mesh of "crosslinked" molecules.

Lead researcher, Patrick Kiser, and assistant professor at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City says that the chemical bonds between the two polymers constantly attach and detach at normal, acidic vaginal pHs of about 4.8, allowing the gel to flow. But at a pH of 7.6 - the slightly alkaline condition when semen enters the vagina - the PBA and SHA polymers "crosslink" and stick tightly together.