Quantcast
ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    Menu
    Natural Sciences
    Health
    History & Humanities
    Space & Astronomy
    Technology
    Culture
    Resources
    Natural Sciences

    Physics

    • Matter and Energy
    • Quantum Mechanics
    • Thermodynamics

    Chemistry

    • Periodic Table
    • Applied Chemistry
    • Materials
    • Physical Chemistry

    Biology

    • Anatomy
    • Biochemistry
    • Ecology
    • Genetics
    • Microbiology
    • Plants and Fungi

    Geology and Paleontology

    • Planet Earth
    • Earth Dynamics
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Volcanoes
    • Dinosaurs
    • Fossils

    Animals

    • Mammals
    • Birds
    • Fish
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians
    • Invertebrates
    • Pets
    • Conservation
    • Animals Facts

    Climate and Weather

    • Climate Change
    • Weather and Atmosphere

    Geography

    Mathematics

    Health
    • Drugs
    • Diseases and Conditions
    • Human Body
    • Mind and Brain
    • Food and Nutrition
    • Wellness
    History & Humanities
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Economics
    • History
    • People
    • Sociology
    Space & Astronomy
    • The Solar System
    • The Sun
    • The Moon
    • Planets
    • Asteroids, Meteors and Comets
    • Astronomy
    • Astrophysics
    • Cosmology
    • Exoplanets and Alien Life
    • Spaceflight and Exploration
    Technology
    • Computer Science & IT
    • Engineering
    • Inventions
    • Sustainability
    • Renewable Energy
    • Green Living
    Culture
    • Culture and Society
    • Bizarre Stories
    • Lifestyle
    • Art and Music
    • Gaming
    • Books
    • Movies and Shows
    Resources
    • How To
    • Science Careers
    • Metascience
    • Fringe Science
    • Science Experiments
    • School and Study
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Health

A second male birth control pill just passed human safety tests

Finally, a contraceptive pill for men will be trialed!

Mihai Andrei by Mihai Andrei
March 25, 2019
in Health

For decades, contraceptive pills have been women-only. Now, that is changing.

After the first male contraceptive pill just passed safety tests just a few months ago, another one is hot on its trails. The experimental male oral contraceptive called 11-beta-methyl-19-nortestosterone dodecylcarbonate —  or 11-beta-MNTDC for short — has proven effective as a contraceptive while not having any significant side effects.

“Our results suggest that this pill, which combines two hormonal activities in one, will decrease sperm production while preserving libido,” said lead author Christina Wang, from the Los Angeles Biomed Research Institute (LA BioMed), Torrance, California.

The study analyzed the pills’ effects on 40 healthy men. Out of them, 10 received a placebo, 14 received a dose of 200 milligrams (mg), and 16 got a double dose of 400 mg. The pill was taken daily, with food.

It essentially works by reducing circulating testosterone level as well as two other hormones required for sperm production. Both doses of the pill were successful in reducing these hormones compared to the placebo, and the effects were reversible — after the treatment was stopped, normal levels were observed once again.

The side effects were mild. Five men reported slightly decreased sex drive, and two men described mild erectile dysfunction. However, overall sexual activity was not decreased, researchers say. Other mild side effects included headaches and acne — all of which (and many more) are also present in existing contraceptive pills for women.

However, the effectiveness of the pill was not thoroughly assessed — this was only a safety test, to see if drug testing can proceed in larger samples. Longer tests of 60 to 90 days are required to see how sperm production is affected, 28 days of treatment is too short an interval to observe optimal sperm suppression.

“The goal is to find the compound that has the fewest side effects and is the most effective,” Page said. “We are developing two oral drugs in parallel in an attempt to move the [contraceptive medicine] field forward.”

At any rate, this will be a lengthy process. Even if things go according to plan, it will take several years before male contraceptives hit the shelves.

“Safe, reversible hormonal male contraception should be available in about 10 years,” Wang predicted.

Still, Wang is optimistic. She quotes a previous study which found that 55% of men in stable relationships would at least try this type of contraceptive.

A few months ago, a similar treatment has also passed safety tests. 11-Beta-MNTDC is a “sister compound” to dimethandrolone undecanoate, or DMAU, the first potential male birth control pill to undergo testing by the same research team.

Results were published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Was this helpful?


Thanks for your feedback!

Related posts:
  1. Male contraceptive pill passes first safety test
  2. Male birth control pill may work by blocking sperm ejaculation
  3. Non-hormonal male birth control pill prototype is 99% effective in mice
  4. Birth controll pill for men might be just around the corner
  5. Sperm gene discovery might lead to male birth control
Tags: contraceptioncontraceptive pillmale contraceptive pill

ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • More
  • About Us

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

Don’t you want to get smarter every day?

YES, sign me up!

Over 35,000 subscribers can’t be wrong. Don’t worry, we never spam. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy.

✕
ZME Science News

FREE
VIEW