A radical female contraception that simultaneously paralyses sperm and protects from sexually transmitted diseases aims to stem abortion rates in Australia among the next generation of young women.

The compound, which may eventually take the form of a sponge or vaginal ring to be inserted two or three days before sexual intercourse, is unique in that it is activated only on contact with semen, said University of Newcastle professor John Aitken said.

"Strange tmes": Dr John Aitken. Credit:Natalie Grono

So far Professor Aitken has been able to prove that the compound works in a test tube and has no toxic effects. He has shown that it successfully stops the transmission of chlamydia, the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in Australia, and he has begun safety trials using laboratory rats.

"Like the Sleeping Beauty, it [the contraceptive] only becomes woken at the moment of insemination. Our motivation is to try and reduce the amount of abortions, which are predominantly in under-19s," he said.