From Newsweek · · 1m 40s
Male Birth Control Pill Could Work in 30 Minutes
Scientists may soon have a male birth control pill that stops sperm from fertilizing eggs in 30 minutes.
In brief
Scientists may soon have a male birth control pill that stops sperm from fertilizing eggs in 30 minutes. Scientists developed a male birth control pill that temporarily blocks sperm function for up to 8 hours after taking, potentially reducing unintended pregnancies. Originally reported by Newsweek.
New Male Contraceptive Pill
Scientists received a multimillion dollar grant from NICHD to test a male birth control pill that provides 6-8 hours of pregnancy protection.
“it is extremely gratifying to receive the grant because few like it are awarded nationwide”
How the Pill Works
The pill uses an enzyme called soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) to temporarily stop sperm from swimming after ejaculation.
“if this enzyme is missing, men are infertile because while they ejaculate normally, their sperm do not travel through the female reproductive tract”
Current Contraception Limitations
Only 40 percent of U.S. pregnancies are planned, and men currently have limited options like condoms and vasectomies.
“about a third of women stop a hormonal method within the first year”
Why This Pill Matters
The pill could let men share responsibility for birth control without requiring continuous hormonal use.
“we need options that act before fertilization, that do not ask a healthy person to take hormones continuously”
Animal Studies Show No Side Effects
Animal tests found no side effects even at high doses over extended periods.
“no side effects have been noted in animal studies”
Safety Concerns Remain
Scientists worry about potential side effects in tissues beyond the testes, like the eye.
“some concerns that sAC protein is found and plays a role in tissues other than the testis”
Timeline for Human Testing
The pill could be tested in humans within two years after extensive animal safety testing.
“we hope to be able to test the pill in men in less than two years”
Next Steps for the Pill
Researchers will first test sperm under a microscope to confirm the drug's effect before moving to clinical trials with couples.
“the treated sperm will just sit on a microscope slide and twitch instead of the normal swimming pattern”
Challenges Ahead
The pill may take years to become available as real-world testing requires multiple phases.
“this real world testing of efficacy in couples requires several years”
Why Men Need This Pill
The pill addresses the asymmetry of responsibility in birth control where men are not the ones who bear the consequences if it fails.
“the person taking it is not the one who bears the consequence if it fails”
In short
Scientists developed a male birth control pill that temporarily blocks sperm function for up to 8 hours after taking, potentially reducing unintended pregnancies.
