Scientists are moving closer to figuring out a male birth control pill.
Roughly 18 years after Pfizer's erection tablet hit the markets, scientists are prepared to announce Monday that they are closer than ever to developing medication to create temporary male sterility.
"At certain doses, it (works)," Jillian Kyzer, a graduate student at the University of Minnesota who has been working on the so-called male pill, said in a statement. "But at those doses, it doesn't work for up to 20% of men, and it can cause side effects, including weight gain and a decrease in 'good' cholesterol."
Still, it's promising news — but before men can start popping the pill, a lot has to happen.
A male contraceptive must be configured into oral form, it must not decrease libido, it must be safe even if taken for years and, most important, it must be reversible in case a man wants to be a father later on, according to Gunda Georg, research team leader.
"That's a very high bar for bringing a male contraceptive to market," Georg said in a statement.
Pharmaceutical companies have been trying for a while — with most trying to control sperm production by targeting the production of testosterone, which has obvious shortcomings.
Others have sought to prevent the sperm from fertilizing an egg, inhibit sperm motility or, worse, allow a man to climax, but not ejaculate.
The pill for women — which does not have side effects on libido — went on the market in 1960. Today, 17.5% of women between 15 and 44 are on it.
Comment: No side effects on libido? Not according to this study: Pill linked to reduction in women's sexual desire.
Scientists believe they have uncovered the mechanism that leads to mood swings, health problems and sexual difficulties among some users of the pill which persist even when they stop taking it. They say GPs should be aware of the pill's physiological effects before assuming women's sexual problems are psychological.
Men want their own version, according to polls. Last year, a British paper found that 52% of men would take a daily birth control pill.
Of course whether women would believe men when they say, "Trust me, I'm on the pill," is another story. Another problem? If condom use drops, STDs could spike.
The male pill announcement is scheduled for Monday afternoon at the American Chemical Society's annual meeting.
Reader Comments
to our Newsletter