Can ultrasound be used for contraception?

Currently, ultrasound has not become a conventional clinical method for contraception. Although some preliminary studies suggest it may have potential for contraception, the technology is not yet mature. A detailed analysis is as follows:

The concept of ultrasound-based contraception primarily involves using specific frequencies and intensities of ultrasound to temporarily affect sperm in men or oocytes in women. For men, ultrasound may suppress sperm production or reduce sperm motility through thermal or mechanical effects, thereby achieving short-term contraception. For women, research mainly focuses on disrupting oocyte maturation or fallopian tube motility to prevent fertilization. However, these studies remain at the laboratory stage and face significant limitations, including inconsistent effectiveness, unknown long-term safety, and failure to meet clinical standards for contraceptive efficacy. As such, they have not yet led to any widely applicable contraceptive products.

Currently recommended clinical contraceptive methods—such as condoms, combined oral contraceptives, and intrauterine devices (IUDs)—have been extensively validated over time and are proven to be safe and effective. Individuals can choose suitable methods based on their personal circumstances.

For those seeking contraception, clinically established methods should be prioritized to avoid unintended pregnancies that could result from relying on unproven technologies. In the future, with further scientific advances, ultrasound may potentially emerge as a novel contraceptive approach, but this would require rigorous scientific validation and regulatory approval before clinical use.