Effective Male Birth Control To Come To Market – Safety TBD

Credit: Express.Co.Uk
Credit: Express.Co.Uk

When birth control was made available to women in the 1960’s, many began taking it without a second thought. Safe contraceptive? Well, it sure was advertised as such.

But with findings determining conventional birth control pills to be a major contributor to estrogen dominance and hormone imbalance, ‘the pill’ has come to be viewed differently in recent years – and for good reason. Estrogen dominance is linked with symptoms such as weight gain, acne, infertility, intense PMS symptoms, heavy bleeding during one’s moon time, breast cancer, and more

Which is why when news of a male contraceptive pill coming to market made headlines, we were skeptical. But as a no hormone contraceptive for men, it does seem to hold potential. Read on to form an opinion for yourself.

The Telegraph reports that the medical research nonprofit Parsemus Foundation has developed a contraceptive called Vasalgel that is likely to receive the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) seal of approval. If all goes well in testing and human trials begin soon, it could be released on the market by 2018-2020.

The male contraceptive is essentially a polymer that’s injected under local anesthetic into the man’s sperm carrying tubes, accessible through the scrotum — not in his penis or testicles as some authors have erred. It works by blocking sperm and is expected to be reversible through a second injection that dissolves the polymer.

All men would have to do is receive one injection that would last for years. Importantly, no hormones are involved. Researchers estimate at least 50% would opt for this form of birth control.

Another reported benefit of Vasalgel is that while it blocks sperm, other fluid can still pass through. This reduces any risk of pain due to back pressure, an occasional issue with vasectomies. This advantage is also expected to make the contraceptive a best seller for males if approved by the FDA and released onto the market.

Parsemus, which is dedicated to developing low-cost solutions that are neglected by the pharmaceutical industry, says the procedure is similar to a no-scalpel vasectomy, yet this method is reversible.

In fact, Valsalgel has already been used in India successfully.

At present, the main concern for the nonprofit is raising funds to develop the product, as long-term birth control methods obviously aren’t a huge money-maker for pharmaceutical companies. For this reason, the foundation is relying on donations from the public and other nonprofits to pay for development costs. You can donate on their website.

While the only forms of birth control for men at present are the condom or a vasectomy, other male contraceptives being developed outside of the US at present, in both London and Indonesia. You can read more about these no-hormone options here.

What are your thoughts? Would you (males) use the contraceptive if found to be safe? Would you (females) suggest your partner take this form of birth control if approved by the FDA? Share your comments below.

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