Birth control for men? at He's Fit

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Birth control for men?

Posted November 19, 2007 at 03:00 PM by Denise Musumeci

Section: In The News, His Health, Lifestyle Health

male pill In the early 1960’s, a scientific breakthrough changed the face of family planning: the female birth control pill. Since then, women have had a number of options when it comes to preventing unwanted pregnancies. Currently, scientists are looking into another advance in birth control options: male hormonal contraception. MSNBC correspondent John Schieszer reports that the first successful male hormonal birth control may be within reach.

According to Seattle researchers, “Several formulations are expected to become commercially available within the near future. Men may soon have the options of a daily pill to be taken orally, a patch or gel to be applied to the skin, an injection given every three months or an implant placed under the skin every 12 months.”

Dr Andrea Coviello, one of the Seattle researchers, currently found that a male contraceptive that releases testosterone over three months is potentially a safe method of contraception. They have been testing a testosterone capsule filled with thick liquid administered by injection under the skin. Male Hormonal Contraceptives work by using the hormones testosterone and progestins to suspend sperm production. Once men stop taking the hormones, sperm production will continue. Very few side affects have been reported, usually a little bit of weight gain or acne.

A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) concludes that men from all over the world will welcome hormonal birth control. Many are eager to participate in clinical trials. Researchers have had plenty of success with male contraceptive pills, patches, implants and creams that distribute various amounts of hormones in the past 5 years. Male hormonal birth control pills may be available on the market within 5 to 7 years and implants could arrive even sooner. Dr. Christina Wang, who is heading up the clinical trials of Male Hormonal Contraception at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, says that hormonal implants will be the first form of male birth control approved. These implants are similar to Norplant for women, which is inserted under the skin and releases hormones over time. Big studies are under way, but Wang says that it may take as long as 5 years for FDA approval.

As far as a man’s opinion goes, Schieszer reports that many men think this is a great idea and allows them to take control of their reproductive choices. However, many men will only take it if their partners make them take it while others will not even consider taking hormonal birth control at all. Regardless, the options should still be laid out for those men who want to take advantage of it.

Research sources and for more information: [MSNBC]; [picture]