SAN CARLOS, Calif. (February 6, 2001) – Conceptus, Inc. (NASDAQ NM: CPTS), developer of the STOP™ (Selective Tubal Occlusion Procedure) non-surgical permanent contraception procedure for women, today announced the appointment of Charles S. Carignan, M.D. to the newly created position of Vice President of Clinical Research and Medical Affairs.

Dr. Carignan's expertise is the introduction of new contraceptive technologies, a field in which he has conducted physician training in more than 50 countries and has participated on various committees of the World Health Organization, the Population Council, the United Nations and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Dr. Carignan has been an advisor to Conceptus since 1995 and has been a member of the Company's scientific advisory board since 1996.

"We are very pleased that Dr. Carignan, one of the foremost experts in the field of reproductive health and family planning, has chosen to focus his efforts exclusively on Conceptus," said Cindy Domecus, Senior Vice President, Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs. "He has been instrumental in helping us develop STOP along the clinical and regulatory pathways, and brings to Conceptus a unique set of skills in presenting the STOP technology to physicians, patients and government agencies around the world. We look forward to continuing to benefit from his international experience as we introduce STOP throughout the world."

Dr. Carignan received his undergraduate degree from Yale University, his M.D. degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University and trained in general surgery at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. Dr. Carignan has been a leader in the field of reproductive health and contraceptive development for 15 years as a research associate for the Population Council and as Vice President and Medical Director of AVSC International (formerly the Association for Voluntary Surgical Contraception). He has been a consultant with many leading organizations in reproductive health and family planning, including Pathfinder International, Family Health International, John Snow, Inc., JHPIEGO, the Institute for Reproductive Health, ISTI, International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in London and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, among others. Dr. Carignan is an author of, and contributor to, many publications relating to reproductive health and family planning, particularly in the area of male and female sterilization, such as "Contraceptive Technology" and "Medical and Service Delivery Guidelines for family planning, second edition."

Permanent Contraception
Surgical tubal ligation has become the most common form of contraception worldwide, despite the fact that it is invasive and costly. In the U.S., about 93% of such procedures are performed in a hospital or surgi-center under general anesthesia, requiring 4-5 hours of hospital recovery time and resulting in 3-4 days off work. A STOP procedure does not require cutting or penetration of the abdomen, is typically performed with local anesthetic and can be performed in a less costly office setting. Accordingly, a woman is expected to spend about 2-3 hours of her day for a STOP procedure, with a rapid return to normal activities.

About Conceptus
Conceptus, Inc. is developing STOP, an innovative medical device and procedure designed to provide a non-surgical alternative to tubal ligation, the leading form of contraception worldwide. The STOP device is a unique and proprietary micro-coil designed to be deployed permanently into each fallopian tube using the Company's minimally invasive transcervical tubal access catheter system. Once in place, clinical studies have shown that the STOP device induces an occlusive tissue response.

Data from the United Nations show that worldwide, 30% of reproductive couples using contraception rely on surgical tubal ligation. Additionally, a survey performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that surgical tubal ligation continues to be the most prevalent form of contraception in the U.S., and that 35% of women age 35-44 have had a surgical tubal sterilization. An estimated 800,000 surgical tubal ligations are performed each year in the U.S. Additional information about the Company and the STOP device is available at www.conceptus.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements, the accuracy of which is necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties. The receipt of regulatory approvals, results of product development programs, and clinical efficacy of and market demand for products, among other matters discussed in this release, may differ significantly from the discussion of such matters in the forward-looking statements. Such differences may be based upon factors within the Company's control, such as strategic planning decisions by management and re-allocation of internal resources, or on factors outside of the Company's control, such as delays by regulatory authorities, scientific advances by third parties and introduction of competitive products, as well as those factors set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.