What Are Microbicides?

Microbicides are biomedical products being developed to protect healthy people from becoming infected with HIV during sex. Some microbicides are being designed only for women as vaginal products, and others would be rectal products that both men and women could use. 

Filling a gap in current prevention strategies

Microbicides will fill an important gap in current prevention strategies by giving women a tool they can use to protect themselves against HIV. They will also complement existing HIV prevention strategies when they can be used.

IPM is among several nonprofit product developers focused on developing vaginal microbicides to protect women against HIV during sex with a male partner. 

Why ARV-based microbicides?

Recent research shows that the same types of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs already being used successfully to treat HIV/AIDS may also offer protection against HIV.

What forms will ARV-based microbicides take?

They would take many forms which women could use easily and discreetly, including sustained-release rings that could provide protection for a month at a time and vaginal gels used around the time of sex. Learn more about developing products that meet women’s preferences.

How will they be used?

Vaginal rings could be easily inserted by hand and vaginal gels could be easily inserted with an applicator.