Research Continues on Hormonal Male Contraception

Friday April 28, 2006

Hormonal male contraception is likely to be available in the near future, and the results of a recent study in this week's issue of The Lancet indicate that the contraception is reversible within a few months.

The study set out to determine whether the method of contraception, which inhibits sperm production using androgen or androgen-progestagen treatment, was reversible. It examined the results of thirty studies published between 1990 and 2005 which included 1500 men. What they were looking for was the point at which male sperm count returned to a threshold of 20 million per mL which is an indicator of fertility.

The average time for sperm recovery to 20 million/mL was 3-4 months.

In a prepared statement lead author Dr Peter Liu from the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center said,

"Our data provide strong assurance that the previously described efficacy of hormonal male contraceptives is coupled with highly predictable recovery to semen characteristics that are compatible with fertility. These findings thereby increase the promise of new contraceptive drugs allowing men to share more fairly the satisfaction and burden of family planning."

According to Dr. Christina Wang, who co-authored the paper, the most likely way a new hormonal male contraception would be delivered is through injections or injections and implants. Dr. Wang says a male pill will take longer to develop.

While there are many factors that can delay the process, Dr. Wang says that

"a male hormonal contraception will be available to individuals in 8 to 10 years. A phase III study is ongoing in China and a phase IIB study is near completion. If the results are promising a phase III study will start and it will take about 5 to 7 years to complete and report sent to FDA for registration."

Research Continues on Hormonal Male Contraception

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