Contraception and Hormones within Interaction Design

In 2018 a new contraceptive method will be made available to women in the form of a programmable microchip that is implanted under the skin. A small electric current melts a small dosage of the contraceptive hormone Levonorgestrel into the users bloodstream [3]. The contraceptive microchip works for up to sixteen years and so reportedly comes with a remote control component that is handed to the user so that they can de-activate and re-activate their own fertility if they want to attempt to conceive a baby during that time period. This position paper firstly outlines my past research investigating the implications of the new form of contraception from an interaction design perspective before introducing my current research area; hormones within interaction design and describes how this research is relevant to the workshop Hacking Women’s Health. Finally, this paper describes my personal aims and possible contributions to the workshop.