"Smart Condom" For Women In the Works

The safe-sex adage "no glove, no love" may be obsolete in a few years. Scientists at the University of Utah are working on an HIV-resistant "molecular condom" for women that could replace the latex variety worn by gents.

"We have developed a new vaginal gel that we call a molecular condom because it is composed of molecules that are liquid at room temperature and, when applied in the vagina, will spread and turn into a gel and effectively coat the tissue," says Patrick Kiser, an assistant professor of bioengineering. "It's a smart molecular condom because we designed this gel to release anti-HIV drugs when the gel comes into contact with semen during intercourse."

Don't throw out that box of Trojans yet, though. The molecular condom is still a decade away from drugstore shelves.

Molecular Condom -- vaginal gel releases Anti-HIV drug when exposed to semen [Gizmag]