Khaberni - Scientists and doctors have been trying to develop reliable and safe male contraceptive methods for about 100 years, yet this issue remains a subject of discussion in medical and scientific circles to this day.
Evolution of Male Contraception Over a Century:
For decades, contraception was exclusive to women, with birth control pills, IUDs, and hormonal medications designed specifically for them. Men had only two main options: condoms and vasectomy, the latter of which has gradually lost popularity: in the UK, the number of these surgical operations decreased by 64% by 2016, and in Russia, only about 800 operations were performed by 2022.
Scientists have repeatedly tried to develop a non-surgical and reliable method of contraception for men. One of the earliest experiments in this field was conducted by Swiss physician Martha Vogeli between the 1930s and 1950s, who studied the effect of heat on male fertility: placing the testicles in hot baths daily led to a temporary decrease in sperm production, but fertility completely returned to normal afterward, yet this method did not become widely used.
With the development of hormonal contraceptives for women after 1960, scientists attempted to adapt hormonal methods for men. In the 1960s and 1970s, combinations of testosterone and progestin were studied, which suppress sperm formation. However, many participants suffered from side effects, including mood swings, decreased sexual desire, and weight gain. Ultimately, no hormonal drug for men was fully adopted.
By the end of the 20th century, the focus shifted towards non-hormonal methods, with one of the most famous projects being RISUG (Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance), a method involving the injection of a polymer gel into the vas deferens that impedes sperm movement. This project has been developed since the 1990s and underwent clinical trials in India. In 2002, the Indian Ministry of Health temporarily halted the experiments due to reports of tumors in participants, but the trials resumed in 2011.
Currently, a similar drug is being developed in the United States. In July 2022, NEXT Life Sciences announced the beginning of clinical trials to bring the drug to market. The product is named Plan A, referring to the female Plan B pill. Approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected by 2027.
Some currently available male contraceptive methods:
Non-hormonal birth control pills (YCT-529)
Non-hormonal birth control pills YCT-529 (under development in the United States) are one of the most promising modern methods, as they work by blocking retinoic acid receptors necessary for sperm maturation. Unlike hormonal drugs, these pills do not affect testosterone levels or sexual desire, and in initial preclinical studies on mice and primates, YCT-529 showed a decrease in fertility of up to 99% without side effects, with fertility recovering within a few weeks of stopping the medication.
Hydrogel implants (ADAM)
The hydrogel implant ADAM is placed in the vas deferens and works for up to two years. After implantation, the drug forms a physical barrier that prevents sperm from reaching the seminal fluid. This method does not destroy the vas deferens and is designed to naturally dissolve over time. The developers see the ADAM implant as a potential counterpart to the female intrauterine device.
Polymer gel injection (Vasalgel / RISUG)
The RISUG project from India and its American counterpart Vasalgel are based on injecting a polymer gel into the vas deferens, where it covers a thin layer of the inner walls of the ducts. As sperm pass through this layer, they are neutralized, making them incapable of fertilizing an egg. This method is designed for long-lasting effects but requires flushing or dissolving the gel to restore fertility. The American drug is expected to appear in pharmacies by 2027.
