For decades we’ve heard murmurings about the development of reversible male birth control in pill form, yet it hasn’t happened yet. Scientists may be close to a breakthrough, however. Here’s how a male birth control pill might work.
Do you know how many pregnancies in the United States are unplanned? Forty-five percent! Shocking, isn’t it? Nearly half of all expecting women did not intend to become mommies at this point in their lives.
We are far away from gender equality when it comes to contraception. Women can choose from a variety of options, such as pills, patches, IUDs or diaphragms. For guys, there’s only one widely accepted choice: condoms. The second option, vasectomy, is permanent so it’s not for everyone. If you decide to get one, you risk never being able to father a child again.
Earlier this year we’ve heard good news about a prototype male contraceptive pill. The product passed initial safety trials. As with all medicines, there are side effects which include ED in some men. How real is the chance for a male pill which would not interfere with the man’s sexual ability?
Long history of male birth control pill
The idea of male hormonal contraceptives dates back to the 1950s. Endocrinologist Gregory Pincus, creator of the first birth control pill for women, wanted to invent a similar drug for men. For a variety of reasons his plans were never realized.
It’s been a bumpy road for male birth control. Several decades later, researchers are continuing Pincus’ efforts to suppress sperm production using the hormone called progestin. Without the financial backing of big pharmaceutical companies research progresses slowly.
Side effects are also a big concern. In 2016 Stage II of trials for a new injection for men was stopped due to negative effects, such as severe acne and mood swings.
Promising study results
A new hope was announced in March at Endocrine Society conference. Team led by Dr. Christina Wang, from LA BioMed with the support of the University of Washington presented positive trial results for a new male contraceptive pill. The drug, called 11-beta-MNTDC, was well tolerated. None of the 40 participants discontinued its use.
The pill effectively reduced the levels of hormones needed for sperm production. Good news is also that the effects of the drug were reversed when men stopped taking the pill. The next challenge is to prove that the drug works well to prevent pregnancy.
How does the prototype male pill work
The experimental birth control for men relies on the mechanism similar to the pill for women. It makes use of synthetic hormones to suppress sperm production. The female version does the same to block ovulation. 11-beta-MNTDC is a combination of testosterone and progestin.
“What that does is it blocks the signal from the brain, in this case to the testicle, which means the testicle stops producing testosterone, and without that high amount of testosterone in the testicle, the sperm do not mature”
says Dr. Stephanie Page, a professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
ED among mild side effects of the new pill
As all drugs, the experimental pill for men has side effects. Among the men who took the drug, several reported headaches, acne or changes in weight. 5 men said it decreased their libido and 2 had mild erectile dysfunction. The drop in sexual desire was not as high as to negatively impact the men’s sexual activity.
Scientists explain that the negative effects for men’s intimate lives were reduced thanks to the synthetic testosterone in the drug. It replenishes the loss in the body’s natural testosterone caused by the pill. The contraceptive is still in the making and it may take several years until it hits the market. Researchers will no doubt try to find an optimal dosage to cut the risk of ED and other sexual issues.
Cialis can treat ED even in men with low testosterone
The good news is that there is already an ED treatment available for men with low testosterone. Study on the effectiveness of Tadalafil revealed that the pill improves erectile function also for men with low testosterone levels.
If you suspect your ED is caused by low testosterone, ask your physician about treatment with Cialis Daily. Check out our Erectile Dysfunction page to see all available ED treatment options.
Anka Grzywacz is a sexologist, reproductive health expert and Certified Sex Coach™. In her online practice she helps busy women and couples solve their intimate problems.