A male contraceptive pill may soon become reality, offering men new options beyond condoms or permanent surgery. Scientists are now testing several methods, including a hormone gel applied to the skin, an oral pill taken daily after dinner, and an injectable gel that blocks sperm release.
For decades, birth control has been primarily aimed at women. The female pill was introduced in the UK over 60 years ago. Since then, male choices have been limited. Now, researchers are closer than ever to changing that.
Injectable Gel Could Block Sperm for Two Years
A promising new product called Adam is a water-based gel that’s injected into the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm. This gel acts as a physical barrier, preventing sperm from entering semen.
Developed by U.S.-based company Contraline, Adam is inserted in a short procedure under local anaesthetic. In early trials with 25 men, the gel successfully blocked sperm. It is expected to last around two years, then naturally dissolve and leave the body.
The company claims there are no major side effects. However, it is still unclear how easy it is to remove early if a man changes his mind and wants children.
A larger trial is now planned to confirm results. According to Tet Yap, a consultant at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London, “It’s promising, but still at a very early stage.”
Daily Gel Rubbed on Skin Also Shows Success
Another male contraceptive being tested is a daily gel called Nestorone. It is rubbed onto the shoulders or upper arms. This gel combines segesterone acetate, a synthetic hormone that suppresses sperm production, with testosterone to balance hormone levels.
Without added testosterone, users might experience unwanted side effects like low libido or muscle weakness. But the combined formula avoids this.
In a recent study by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, 86% of the 222 men using Nestorone reached contraceptive levels (one million or fewer sperm per millilitre of semen) after 15 weeks. A normal count ranges from 15 to 200 million.
Mr. Yap says this gel is the most exciting development so far. “We’re waiting for one more study result later this year,” he adds. “If that’s positive, Nestorone could be available in the UK within a year.”
However, this method is not for short-term use. It takes at least three months of daily application before sperm levels drop low enough to prevent pregnancy.
Non-Hormonal Male Pill Targets Sperm at the Source
A team at the University of Minnesota is developing a non-hormonal male pill called YCT-529. Instead of altering hormones, it blocks a protein known as RAR-alpha, essential for sperm formation.
In tests on mice, the pill lowered sperm count and was 99% effective in preventing pregnancies. After stopping the pill, the mice regained fertility within four to six weeks. Early human trials are now underway.
Because this pill avoids hormone changes, it may cause fewer side effects than hormone-based methods.
After-Dinner Pill Offers Another Daily Option
A separate pill called dimethandrolone undecanoate is also in development. Taken after the main meal of the day, this pill suppresses two hormones – FSH and LH – that are vital for sperm production.
Food improves how the body absorbs this drug, so it’s meant to be taken with dinner. Like YCT-529, it does not directly affect testosterone, which could help avoid side effects.
Why Male Contraception Took So Long
Despite the urgent need, male birth control has progressed slowly. Professor Richard Anderson, a reproductive science expert from the University of Edinburgh, explains that the success of female contraception reduced pressure on companies to create male options.
There has also been doubt about whether men would use birth control reliably. But that belief may not be true.
“In the Nestorone trials, we found most men were very consistent,” Professor Anderson says. “And many women said they enjoyed sharing the responsibility and were sad when the trial ended.”
Conclusion
Male contraception is finally entering a new era. With multiple new methods being tested – including injections, gels, and pills – men may soon have more control over their reproductive choices. If trials continue to show strong results, these options could reach the market in the next few years.
