Birth control is the bane of many a people’s lives, with men often relying on their female partners to take the dramatic, precautionary steps against unwanted pregnancies.
Whether it is the pill, injections or female condoms, women truly do have an array of contraceptives, with some even being potentially harmful. Whereas men get away relatively Scott-free. After all, they only have two forms of contraceptives, condoms and dare I say the dreaded, leg-crossing V word…vasectomy.
But it seems there is a third option for men now. Do you know, an easy-to-use male contraceptive gel is in the making? I am serious, men will soon possibly have the chance to use the gel as a means of contraceptive. Its name is NES/T.
The clinical trial will take place in the United States of America, with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding the trials.
The gel formulation was developed by the Population Council and NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
Study investigator Dr Diana Blithe, chief of NICHD’s Contraceptive Development Program says a safe, highly effective method of male contraception will fill an important need in the public health sector.
This is because many women cannot use hormonal contraception and male contraceptives are very limited.
So, how does this gel work?
The gel which will be applied to the shoulders and back of the male contains two main active principles. These are testosterone and the progestin compound segesterone acetate.
The progestin blocks the natural production of testosterone in the testicles. The goal in this is to reduce the production of sperm to non-existent levels.
The presence of the testosterone is to ensure the hormone remains at a healthy and normal level in the bloodstream. Because without it, normal sex drive and other functions will most likely be affected.
The clinical trial will involve 420 couples, following them for up to 23 months. The male volunteers will use the gel daily for four to 12 weeks. This is to ensure there is no negative side effects and works effectively.
This phase can last up to 16 weeks if the sperm levels have not dropped to the intended levels. Once the correct level for the sperm count is obtained, the couple will use the gel as the sole method of contraception. This phase will determine if the gel is truly effective. During this period, the couples will be followed for a year.
Once the couple stops using the gel, the men will be observed for a further 24 weeks. This will be to quantify the reversibility of the formulation.
While many men might see this gel as a rather undertaking, testing and possibly using a brand-new form of contraception, but remember it takes two to tango. Spreading the responsibility of birth control between partners can ensure a happy relationship.
