Male contraceptive pills show promise in new study
Two experimental male contraceptive pills appear to effectively lower testosterone without causing unacceptable side effects, according to a new study that will be presented Monday at ENDO 2022, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Atlanta, Ga.
The drugs, called DMAU and 11β-MNTDC, are part of a class of drugs called progestogenic androgens. These drugs suppress testosterone, which lowers sperm count. Lowering testosterone levels normally leads to unpleasant side effects, but most of the men in the study were willing to continue using the drugs, suggesting the side effects were acceptable.
"Male contraception options are currently restricted to vasectomy and condoms, and are thus extremely limited as compared to female options," said lead researcher Tamar Jacobsohn of the Contraceptive Development Program at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
"Development of an effective, reversible male contraceptive method will improve reproductive options for men and women, have a major impact on public health by decreasing unintended pregnancy, and allow men to have an increasingly active role in family planning."
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