D-mannose contraceptives

Abstract

The present invention concerns the use of D-mannose to prevent or inhibit uniting of sperm and egg in the conception process. The administration of D-Mannose to a female such that the environment of an egg has sufficient D-Mannose to inhibit interaction of sperm and the egg and prevent or inhibit conception. D-Mannose dosages may be complimentary to other methods of birth control to enhance their effectiveness.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method for inhibiting conception comprising: administering D-Mannose to a female in an amount effective to inhibit interaction between a sperm and an egg of said female.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein D-mannose is in an amount between about 1 gram and about 10 grams per day.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein D-Mannose is in the form of a capsule or tablet.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein D-Mannose is in the form of a loose powder and is mixed with a food or drink.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a supplementary D-mannose douche within one day prior to or one day after sexual intercourse.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising use of a least one contraceptive from the group consisting of a condom, diaphragm, hormonal pill, contraceptive jelly, intervaginal cream, and douche the D-mannose and the contraceptive being more efficient at preventing conception than either the D-mannose or the contraceptive used separately.  
     
     
         7 . D-Mannose in an amount effective to inhibit interaction between a sperm and an egg for use as a contraceptive when administered to a woman.  
     
     
         8 . Capsules containing D-mannose in an amount effective to inhibit interaction between a sperm and an egg for use as a contraceptive when administered to a woman.  
     
     
         9 . A method of inhibiting conception comprising administering D-Mannose to a female in an amount effective to inhibit interaction between a sperm and a egg of said female wherein the step of administering said D-Mannose comprises vaginally delivering said D-Mannose to said female.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising use of at least one contraceptive selected from the group consisting of a condom, diaphragm, hormonal pill, contraceptive jelly, intravaginal cream, and douche, the D-Mannose and the contraceptive being more efficient at preventing conception than either the D-Mannose or the contraceptive used alone.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  where the female is a wild or domestic animal.  
     
     
         12 . A method for inhibiting conception comprising administering D-Mannose to a female in an amount effective to inhibit interaction between a sperm and an egg of said female wherein said D-Mannose is administered in the form of a capsule or tablet, said D-Mannose is administered within one day prior to or one day after sexual intercourse and wherein the administration is by means of the female ingesting about three capsules, each capsule containing about 420 milligrams of D-Mannose about every two hours beginning about a day before said intercourse, ingestion being reduced to two or three of such capsules about one hour before intercourse and about the same dosage about one hour thereafter.