Multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) are a class of products designed to address at least two health issues simultaneously, often focusing on sexual and reproductive health which includes contraception, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention, other sexually transmitted infection (STI) preventions, such as genital infection by human simplex virus (HSV) infection and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. For example, MPTs can combine contraception and HIV prevention, contraception and other STI prevention, or the prevention of multiple STIs. Since the simultaneous use of multiple products with a single indication against each specific sexual and reproductive health issue is inconvenient, this method may affect adherence. As a result, the goal of developing a MPT as an all-in-one product is to combat this issue.
As a note, these products can be still be utilized by individuals who wish to conceive, as well as breastfeeding and pregnant individuals, since some MPTs include HIV and STI prevention but do not include contraceptives.
*In this article, the terms "male" and "female" are used to refer to biological sex.
Types
A range of MPT products have been in development.The development pipeline includes different designs, product types, and configurations. While condoms are the only one available MPT product on the market, other MPTs in different dosage forms are still in various phases of clinical and preclinical development.
MPT products that are available:
Condoms - Male and female condoms are the only MPT products currently available on the market. They are a non-hormonal form of MPT that combines contraception and HIV/STI preventions. Male condoms are 87% effective in preventing pregnancy in actual use, and up to 98% effective under perfect use, and provide more than 90% protection against STI pathogens.