So far, this birth control pill has only been tested on mice. Results. Efficiency estimated at 99% according to researchers at the American University of Minnesota. These pills were taken orally for a month. The scientists then observed a drastic decrease in the number of spermatozoa. Six weeks after stopping the ingestion of this pill, the mice were able to procreate again. According to the first results, this pill does not cause any adverse effects.
The particularity of this pill is that it does not act on hormones unlike pills for women which can be accompanied by side effects: migraines, breast pain or water retention.
The pill developed by these researchers is therefore non-hormonal. It targets a vitamin A derivative, retinoic acid, essential for sperm production. By blocking the associated receptors, the molecules, prevent the development of reproductive cells.
Research to develop a male contraceptive pill began years ago, when pills for women hit the market in the 1960s. Several promising leads have already been announced, with hormonal pills, in particular, which have successfully passed certain clinical trials. But we are still far from their commercialization.
And there are several reasons for this. In some cases, excessive adverse effects have been observed. But there is also a question of mentality. Male contraception remains taboo and the pharmaceutical industry has long been reluctant to get involved in such research. Minnesota scientists remain confident. They hope to test their pill in humans by the end of the year for commercialization in five years.
There are, in addition, some means of contraception for men, including two main methods. The condom obviously, but also the vasectomy which must be considered as a permanent sterilization operation. Finally alternative means are developing but remain anecdotal like these heated underwear. More and more men claim, in any case, to be ready to share the responsibility for contraception. Something to speed up research around male pills….