Could men be getting birth control soon? Know all about the possible newest offering showing promise

For decades, men’s birth control options have been limited. But exciting news is emerging! Researchers are making significant progress on a long-acting and reversible birth control method specifically for men.

This experimental product takes the form of a once-daily hormonal gel applied to the shoulders. Similar to birth control pills for women, the gel disrupts sperm production in the testes. It contains two key ingredients: nestorone, a progestin, and testosterone, the male sex hormone. Nestorone works by suppressing the natural production of testosterone within the testes, thereby hindering sperm development, explained Dr Priyanka Suhag, Consultant, Dept of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi

However, testosterone plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including muscle maintenance and libido. To ensure men’s health, the gel provides just enough testosterone to maintain normalcy while effectively limiting sperm production.

Since 2005, researchers have been meticulously refining the gel’s dosage and concentration. Recent trials involving over 300 couples appear to have yielded the optimal formula. A healthy sperm count typically falls between 15 million and 200 million per millilitre of semen. Studies have shown that counts below 1 million are sufficient to prevent pregnancy. Encouragingly, the trial demonstrated that 86% of participants achieved this desired low sperm count within 15 weeks of using the gel. For some men, it worked even faster, suppressing sperm production within just 4-8 weeks.

Many women face health issues or side effects that make hormonal birth control unsuitable, highlighting the need for alternative options like male birth control (Photo: Getty/Thinkstock)

“Daily application to the shoulders and upper arms allows the gel to be absorbed through the skin, making it a convenient and non-invasive treatment option. This method of contraception aims to provide men with a reliable and reversible means of preventing pregnancy, offering a potential alternative to traditional male contraceptive methods,” Dr Suhag explained in an interaction with indianexpress.com.

Why should making male birth control be a priority?

For the longest time, birth control and family planning have been the sole responsibility of women, especially in low-income households, but with the ushering in of male birth control, shared responsibility can be promoted.

Dr Suhag noted that it also increases the number of available contraceptive options, so couples can choose the method they prefer. Many women face health issues or side effects that make hormonal birth control unsuitable, highlighting the need for alternative options like male birth control, she added.

Compared to female contraceptives, male birth control, such as the topical Nestorone-Testosterone gel, is less invasive. While methods like IUDs and hormonal implants involve significant hormonal adjustments or invasive procedures, the gel is non-invasive, with fewer systemic side effects, according to Dr Suhag, making it a more straightforward and potentially more acceptable option for many men.

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