Today, scientists reported a non-hormonal male contraceptive that effectively prevents pregnancy in mice, without obvious side effects.
There's a wide variety of birth control methods available for women, such as the pill and the copper coil, and now men could see their options expand.
Researchers at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Diego will present their findings today on a non-hormonal male contraceptive that effectively prevents pregnancy in mice.
The trials resulted in no obvious side effects being displayed by the rodents.
Condoms and vasectomies are some of the only birth control options that men have at the moment, both of which are flawed.
Condoms are expensive and single-use, while vasectomies are permanent with the exception of reversal surgeries that are pricey and sometimes fail.
“Scientists have been trying for decades to develop an effective male oral contraceptive, but there are still no approved pills on the market,” said Dr Abdullah Al Noman, who is presenting the work at the meeting.
Hormonal contraceptives run the risk of side effects including weight gain, depression and increased cholesterol levels - researchers decided a non-hormonal treatment was the way to go.
Some women who take female contraceptive pills have reported similar side effects, leading to criticism of double standards in medicine.
According to researchers, the new non-hormonal male pill, a compound coined YCT529, will begin testing in human clinical trials in the third or fourth quarter of 2022.
