A Male Contraceptive Pill Could Be Available Very Soon

Forty healthy men enrolled in the safety trial at the University of Washington and LA BioMed.

A trial which saw a group of men test once-daily capsules in attempts to explore possible side-effects of a male contraceptive pill has resulted in hopes heightened for a balanced sexual responsibility. 

The experimental contraceptive – which aims to suppress levels of hormones that drive the production of sperm and testosterone in the testes – is a modified testosterone that combines the actions of male hormone androgen and progesterone.

The average testosterone level dropped as low as androgen deficiency, but the participants did not experience any severe side effects.

Called 11-Beta-MNTDC, the pill is a 'sister compound' to dimethandrolone undecanoate (DMAU) the first potential male birth control pill to undergo testing by the same research team at Los Angeles Biomed Research Institute in California.

When used for a month, it was found that the levels of two hormones that are needed for sperm production dropped drastically. As part of the study, 40 men used a pill daily for a month, with 10 of the men picked at random taking a placebo.

Scientists, confident that no severe side effects have arisen, will now continue working on the next step; confirming the fall in sperm production and determine if it is sufficient.

According to researchers at the Los Angeles based centre, longer trials will happen in the near future as the pill takes 60-90 days to affect sperm production.