CIHR's Institute of Gender and Health

The Invisible Condom

Controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS

HIV virus approaching a cell

Finding
In Africa, millions of women have been infected with a disease that they didn't want, but couldn't stop because they had nothing to protect themselves with. Even though condoms are one of the most effective means of stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS, for cultural reasons, women often do not have a say on whether they are used. A research team from Quebec City is testing a vaginal gel microbicide called the Invisible Condom whose use women can control.

Impact
The Invisible Condom is currently in phase II clinical trials. Estimates suggest that a microbicide that is only 60% effective would still prevent 2.5 million infections over three years. Close to 70% of those infected with HIV/AIDS in Africa are women.

Team
Dr. Michel G. Bergeron, inventor of the Invisible Condom, is Director of the Infectious Diseases Research Centre at Laval University.