The era of “male birth control pills” is becoming a reality! After testing, it is safe and effective, hoping to reduce the burden of contraception on women.
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A recent study presented at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society (ENDO2022) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, reported that two oral male contraceptives are effective in inhibiting hormones necessary for sperm production and received positive feedback from most trial participants.
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These two drugs are called DAMU and 11 beta-MNTDC, which reduce testosterone, also known as the male hormone. Normally, this hormone is stimulated by the hypothalamus, which controls the secretion of various hormones, and testosterone is one of them. It stimulates the testes to produce more sperm. Researchers have used this negative feedback mechanism by using drugs to reduce hormone secretion, and sperm production will decrease accordingly.
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The research team conducted a phase 1 clinical trial with 96 healthy male participants divided into two groups. The experimental group received either 2 tablets of DMAU (200 mg) or 4 (400 mg) or 11 beta-MNTDC daily for 28 days, and testosterone levels were checked every 24 hours, while the control group received a placebo.
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They found that both drugs could lower male hormone levels below the placebo from day 7 after starting the medication, and those levels remained until the end of the trial. Compared to the placebo group, their hormone levels showed no change, meaning both drugs were effective. Additionally, 75% of trial participants indicated they would be willing to use the drug in the future.
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“The positive experience of men participating in the clinical trial and the high acceptance of this contraceptive pill will help encourage the general public to access male contraception through medication in the next decade,” said Tamar Jacobsohn, the lead researcher of the project, adding, “The development of male contraceptive products will increase options and allow many women more choice in sharing the burden of contraception.”
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Historically, women have borne the burden of contraception for many generations, whether through pills, injections, or IUDs, and have also faced the risk of abortion when contraception fails. Meanwhile, men have had only the options of condoms (which still have a chance of failure and do not satisfy married men) and irreversible vasectomy, leading to inequality between the sexes. Therefore, there is a need to create effective contraceptive options for men.
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“Current male contraceptive options are limited to vasectomy and condoms, so they are very limited compared to women’s options,” Jacobsohn said. “Developing effective reversible contraceptive methods for men will improve reproductive choices for both men and women, which will have a significant impact on public health by reducing unintended pregnancies and allowing men to play a more active role in family planning.”
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Researched and compiled by Witit Boromphichaichatkul
Source: Facebook Fanpage – Rsathai