Europe OKs First Saliva-Based Birth Control – No Pills Needed
▼ Summary
– Inne’s saliva-based fertility tracker, the “Minilab,” has received regulatory approval in Europe as a contraceptive, offering a non-invasive alternative to hormonal birth control.
– Clinical studies showed the Minilab is 100% effective with perfect use and 92% effective with typical use, comparable to the progesterone pill and more effective than condoms.
– The device tracks progesterone levels daily via saliva, providing more precise hormonal data than period-tracking apps or temperature-based methods.
– Inne’s Minilab is now available in Germany and Austria via subscription, starting at €24/month, with plans to expand to the UK later this year.
– The technology aims to help women avoid hormonal contraceptive side effects by offering a hormone-free option for fertility tracking and contraception.
Europe has approved its first saliva-based contraceptive, offering women a hormone-free alternative to traditional birth control methods. The innovative fertility tracker, developed by Berlin-based company Inne, marks a significant shift in contraceptive technology by eliminating the need for daily pills or invasive procedures.
The Minilab device analyzes progesterone levels through saliva samples, providing real-time hormonal data to help users track fertility and prevent pregnancy. Clinical trials involving 300 women over 1,500 menstrual cycles demonstrated 92% effectiveness with typical use and 100% effectiveness with perfect use, comparable to progesterone pills and significantly more reliable than condoms. While these results are promising, experts note that further large-scale studies are needed to validate long-term reliability.
Previously marketed as a fertility aid, the Minilab has now received medical contraceptive certification from the British Standards Institution, clearing its path for broader adoption. Unlike hormonal contraceptives, which can cause side effects like weight gain or mood swings, this method offers a non-invasive, hormone-free approach to family planning.
Eirini Rapti, Inne’s founder, emphasizes that the technology provides greater precision than period-tracking apps or temperature-based methods, which rely on indirect indicators. “Saliva testing captures actual hormonal changes, removing guesswork,” she explains. The device uses lateral flow technology, similar to rapid COVID-19 tests, to measure progesterone levels. Results sync to a mobile app, allowing users to monitor their cycle with scientific accuracy.
Currently available in Germany and Austria, the Minilab operates on a subscription model starting at €24 per month for a two-year plan. Germany’s public health insurer has already included it in coverage, with expansion plans underway for the UK and other European markets.
Rapti envisions the Minilab as part of a growing movement toward personalized, data-driven reproductive health. “This isn’t just about contraception, it’s about empowering women with deeper insights into their bodies,” she says. As demand for hormone-free options rises, saliva-based testing could redefine how women approach birth control in the future.
(Source: The Next Web)
