Contraceptives

But first- it’s all about profits right?

It’s what women want and it’s becoming more and more what men want too- another method of male birth control and preferably one that does not involve hormones. This method must be affordable by the majority, highly effective, convenient, reversible and free from side effects.

Enormous strides have been made in medical research and more than one solution is well within our abilities right now yet it becomes a tall order when we all know that whatever gets over the finishing line first will only do so if it makes millions for the manufacturer.  Ah, there’s the rub. What profiteth a company to gain huge benefits for its consumers yet suffer great losses from its own coffers? Unless governments step in or non profit agencies come to the contraception party, future R & D for many potentially successful new male birth control methods could drop off the vine.  Let’s face it, a long acting, low cost male birth control method would reduce profits and risk the loss of profits from women’s birth control methods too.

So which non hormonal method of male birth control is the ‘favourite’ to make it over the finishing line?

Move over male hormone injection and remote controlled valve (described in previous posts) hello RISUG, which stands for “Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance”. This RISUG method of male birth control involves the injection of a polymer gel into the vas deferens (tube that carries sperm) No cutting is needed and there are no hormones in the gel. The gel coats the inner walls of the vas deferens, solidifies in minutes and kills unsuspecting passing sperm, thereby making this method of male birth control effective almost at once (unlike a vasectomy that can take up to 3 months). The gel also partially blocks the tube but if months or years later fertility needs to be restored, another injection flushes it out, making this method also easily and quickly reversible.

How long will the contraceptive effect last?

A standard dose will be effective for up to 7years. The reversal procedure can be performed at any time- even within days after the injection. Any ‘minority’ sperm that make it through the vas deferens will be too sluggish to reach and fertilise an egg!This RISUG method has been on trial in men (India) for over a decade now and while this method of male birth control looks likely to be the ‘favourite’ so far, much still remains to be done to pass all the regulations for US and European approval- and of course secure funds for further development.

How many methods of male birth control have emerged over the years?

You may be suprised to learn that there are at least 8! Vasectomy, condom, injection, remote controlled valve for vas deferens and RISUG are 5 of them but others include the IVD (shug), ultrasound and heat method (the mind boggles). Withdrawal does not count as it has a high failure rate of 27%!

FRONTIERS IN NONHORMONAL MALE CONTRACEPTION is easy to read and has further information on all 8 methods of male birth control. Enjoy!