Contraception may soon become part of daily skin routine

The clear gel is put on once a day and works by delivering a dose of hormones to prevent pregnancy.

Women using the gel have reported none of the typical side-effects associated with the Pill, such as weight gain and acne.

It is also suitable for women who are breastfeeding, who are often warned not to take the combined Pill because its hormone levels interfere with milk supply.

The gel can be applied to the abdomen, thighs, arms or shoulders and is quickly absorbed, with no residue.

Experts hope to bring it to market if clinical trial results continue to be positive.

Dr Ruth Merkatz, director of clinical development of reproductive health at the not-for-profit Population Council research centre in New York, led the latest study on the gel, which involved 18 women in their 20s to 30s.

Over the course of seven months, none of the women fell pregnant and the gel had "very high acceptability", she said. The research found that the optimum dose was the small amount of 3mg a day.

"They only need to use a small quantity, once a day," Dr Merkatz said. "From this small study we found it was effective."

Dr Merkatz, who is presenting the findings at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, said the gel could enhance the choices women have.

She added: "It is really helpful to have different ways of administering contraception."

The key drug in the gel is Nestorone, a new type of progesterone. The product also contains a type of oestrogen that is chemically identical to the oestrogen produced by a woman's body. Both these hormones play an important role in pregnancy and the gel works by interfering with their normal patterns of production.

Dr Merkatz said Nestorone does not appear to have any of negative effects seen in oral contraceptives, such as weight gain. "This could be a reason why women might choose it."

Natika Halil, director of information at the Family Planning Association, said: "Any contraceptive system that increases the choice of methods available to women and helps to prevent unwanted pregnancies is welcome.

"Our research shows that there are approximately two million women using a contraceptive method that they are unhappy with, so they will benefit from improved choices and options.

"This product won't suit everyone and will only be for women comfortable putting it on their skin and having their contraceptive cover that way."

Simon Blake, the chief executive of sexual health charity Brook, said: "Obviously this is still in the very early stages of development, but anything that can help young women has got to be a good thing."

The gel is being developed with drug firm Antares Pharma. More than three million women in the UK use the Pill.

Sexual drive:

Women with low sex drive could have a scientific explanation for their lack of desire - their brains behave differently.

Those with a low libido have different patterns of brain activity to women with a healthy sex drive, according to a new study.

Experts asked women to watch videos, including erotic scenes, and measured the brain's response using MRI scans.