![]() The hormonal contraceptive candidate furthest along in development is currently in an ongoing second stage clinical study that has recruited over 400 couples across four continents. The addition of a progestin further enhances the suppression of sperm production. While the testes require high concentrations of testosterone to make sperm, testosterone is typically included in hormonal methods to ensure that there is an adequate level of the hormone for other bodily functions.Ĭounterintuitively, taking testosterone may also help suppress sperm production, because increasing circulating testosterone levels above a certain level suppresses the same two pituitary hormones. The progestin suppresses two pituitary hormones that control the testes, the organs that produce sperm. These methods typically contain testosterone and a progestin. Hormonal methods are usually taken as a gel applied to the skin, injection to the muscle or oral pill. Researchers are currently looking into several different methods of male contraception. Companies may also be concerned about liability if pregnancy occurs. Other reasons include uncertainties about who would dispense these drugs and unclear regulatory requirements for male contraceptive methods to receive FDA approval. One reason includes weighing the cost of development with uncertainties about the potential market. Lack of interest from pharmaceutical companies may also play a role in deterring male contraception development, and there are a number of possible reasons the drug industry shies away from male birth control. ![]() Limited financial resources further slow down development. However, these agencies frequently do not have a drug development infrastructure comparable to pharmaceutical companies, with programs typically run by only a handful of personnel assisted by clinical research organizations. Male contraception development has primarily been supported by governmental and nongovernmental organizations, including the World Health Organization working with academic medical centers. Strong interest in a new male contraceptive raises the question of why there haven’t been any new male birth control methods since the ‘80s. Promising appears to be the supplemental use of a barrier method at the time of presumed ovulation.Credit: Daniel Foster, CC BY-NC-SA Barriers to male contraception Finally, research is underway to enhance the effectiveness of various forms of periodic abstinence and ovulation detection techniques. Spermicides enhance the effectiveness of barrier contraceptives, and new approaches-including use of neem oil and in vitro cobaltous ions-are under development. Given the documented low acceptability of the condom among groups at greatest risk and a lack of knowledge about its proper use, interest has focused on female condoms that cover the entire vagina, cervix, part of the female perineum, and the base of the penis. Although the condom has received greatest emphasis, data suggest that the use of a female barrier method such as the diaphragm and sponge may be even more effective for adolescent females, at highest risk, combined use of barrier and oral contraception may be indicated. In addition, attempts have also been made to assess the true effectiveness of periodic abstinence and ways in which to make its use more accurate and acceptable.Ĭoncerns about preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases as well as pregnancy have led to a renewed interest in barrier contraception and spermicides. This latter reason has stimulated fresh approaches to both physical barriers and spermicidal agents. There is a renewed interest in these techniques both as a major form of birth control and also as our best protection against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, many of which are now occurring in epidemic form. However, for a variety of reasons, this is no longer the case. Although barrier contraceptives were among the first methods of preventing unwanted pregnancy ever described for human use, with the advent of the non-coitally related oral contraceptives and intrauterine devices, they gradually fell into relative disuse.
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