For the first time in history, male birth control options are showing promise for future development, offering a new era of reproductive freedom.
Men have long been limited to just two options when it comes to birth control: condoms or vasectomies. However, scientists are cautiously optimistic that new forms of male birth control will soon be available.
Male birth control has been a topic of interest for decades, with numerous studies and trials underway to develop effective methods.
Currently, there are several potential candidates in the pipeline, including hormonal injections and implants, as well as non-hormonal options like vasalgel.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 40% of pregnancies worldwide are unintended.
Developing a reliable male birth control method could significantly reduce this number.
Researchers estimate that a male birth control pill could be available within the next decade.
One promising option is a daily hormonal gel called NES/T, which suppresses sperm production and has shown ‘really terrific‘ results in clinical trials. The gel takes four to 12 weeks of daily applications to lower sperm production to less than 1 million sperm per milliliter, the threshold to prevent pregnancy.
Another option is occlusion gels, which block sperm transmission by injecting a hydrogel into the vas deferens. These gels have shown promising results in clinical trials and may be available sooner than hormonal contraceptives.
The long-term dream is to develop on-demand, temporary fertility blockers that can be taken as needed. Scientists are working on a protein called serine/threonine kinase 33 (STK33) and an enzyme called soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC), which can temporarily block sperm function.
While new male birth control options show promise, regulatory approval remains a significant hurdle. The FDA has set a high bar for male birth control medications, requiring a perfect side effect profile. Experts argue that the FDA should consider the shared-risk argument, where men give informed consent and are willing to take on the risks for the benefit of their partner.
The development of new male birth control options has been slow due to regulatory challenges and preconceived notions about male contraception. However, with promising results from clinical trials and ongoing research, a new era for male birth control may be on the horizon.
- sciencenews.org | Better male birth control is on the horizon
