Breakthrough Male Contraceptive Pill 99% Effective In Preventing Pregnancy
24 Mar 2022
Male birth control options for may soon expanding, as scientists in the U.S. have developed a male contraceptive pill that they claim is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
University of Minnesota researchers presented findings on their mice tested non-hormonal pill at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society on Wednesday.
Unlike previous offerings the new pill does not target testosterone – the male sex hormone – thereby cutting the risk of side effects.
Dr Abdullah Al Noman, who is presenting the work at the meeting, said:
“Targeting the male sex hormone leads to a lot of side effects such as weight gain, depression and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases,”
“Men are less willing to take a birth control pill that has significant side effects. That’s why we are targeting a non-hormonal pathway to developing a male birth control pill.”
Since the female contraceptive pill became available in the 60s, scientist have struggled to find the male equivalent. The breakthrough pill aims to shift responsibility to men.
Testing in human clinical trials will begin in the third or fourth quarter of 2022.