Let’s be honest. Dealing with contraception can be a drag. Is there a woman who hasn’t wished for an effective, accessible and foolproof male contraceptive? A couple critical issues have created near-insurmountable barriers.
First of all, consider the nature of reproduction — women typically release one ovum each month. Men may have as many as 300,000,000 sperm in every ejaculation. It’s much easier to keep tabs on that single egg. Research efforts to create a hormonal contraceptive for men have often had the unwelcome side effect of neutralizing libido or erectile function. True, that in itself could prevent pregnancy, but it’s not a selling point.
But there is hope. Two promising research projects are in the works. A study published in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology showed sound waves could be used to reduce sperm counts to levels that would cause infertility. Laboratory rats received a testicular ultrasonic zap that proved effective in stopping sperm production.
Further research needs to be done to determine if the treatment is reversible or if there is cumulative damage to the testes. It also needs to be determined if the sperm produced after the treatments stop are healthy and undamaged. Research continues at the University of North Carolina with help from the Gates Foundation.
Another project is the Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance. In this procedure, a substance is injected into the vas deferens tubes, which carry sperm. The substance forms a coating on the inside of the tube and as sperm flow past, they are chemically incapacitated, rendering them unable to fertilize an egg.
Work on this project began in the 1970s in India. Hundreds of men have been successfully injected with the compound so far in clinical trials and there has not been a single failure or serious adverse reaction. The procedure is now in late Phase III clinical trials in India, which means approval in that country could come in as little as two years.
Recently, political stumbling blocks have slowed the project. As a contraceptive, RISUG faces a high bar for acceptance. While a medication such as an antidepressant would be considered a success if it worked in 75 percent of patients, RISUG will be compared to a conventional vasectomy, which works more than 99 percent of the time.
There’s also the business side of the equation. Unlike birth control pills, which are purchased and used daily, sometimes for years, RISUG is a “one-shot” procedure. The syringe could end up costing more than the material it injects. That means there’s not much interest from pharmaceutical companies.
Until that happy day arrives when men have access to a long-acting, reversible and effective contraceptive, there are four male options for contraception: Abstinence, vasectomy, withdrawal and condoms. In the meantime — be safe, folks.