What Are The Contraceptive Methods For Men?

The surgical vasectomy procedure aims to block the vas deferens through various techniques such as section, ligation, or compression. Today, research on contraceptive methods for men has been expanded to find some that present mechanisms similar to female anovulatory ones. Unfortunately, there are fewer birth control options for men than for women. Discover them! Throughout the article, we will explain the available alternatives and those being studied.

Contraceptive methods for men

Research published through Fertility and Sterility acknowledges that more and more men want to take active responsibility for family planning. Due to this, interest in knowing the different male contraceptive methods has increased. This medium highlights that the most common are condoms and vasectomies, the only ones approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, they are not the right option for all men. For this reason, studies on the subject continue to advance. Next, we will see everything in detail.

1. Condoms and spermicides

Condom use is one of the most widely used contraceptive methods for men today. Condoms and spermicides work together to help protect against pregnancy. Condoms are placed on the man’s erect penis. The sperm stays inside the condom and cannot reach the woman’s egg. According to a study published by the University of Antioquia (Medellín), spermicides cover the woman’s cervix and kill the man’s sperm. This product is available in several presentations:

• Gel.
• Fabric.
• Cream.
• Foam.
• Tablets.
• Suppositories.

Condoms can be made of latex or strong plastic. Although the woman usually uses the spermicide at the same time the man uses the condom, there are already condoms with spermicide inside. This way, if the condom breaks or breaks, the spermicide will help kill the sperm. Also, condom use helps prevent sexually transmitted infections. However, using spermicide alone does not prevent this infection, so using a condom is essential.

2. Vasectomy, one of the contraceptive methods for men

In the world, as confirmed by research published by the Journal of Perinatology and Human Reproduction, there are 37 million men who have opted for this procedure, and the number continues to rise. Surgical contraception or voluntary sterilization has become a very popular, mainly in developed countries. This contraceptive method presents the highest effectiveness rates and is a resource widely used by couples who do not wish to have more children. It has the advantage over other contraceptive methods for men since it can be performed in a single act and does not require specific follow-up controls. Also, if the surgical procedure is performed according to accepted medical standards, the risk of complications is small.

What does it consist of?

The surgical procedure of vasectomy aims to block the vas deferens through various techniques such as section, ligation, or compression. This duct carries sperm from the testicle to the urethra to be expelled during ejaculation. It is a simple technique that can be performed on an outpatient basis and, when performed under local anesthesia and with adequate aseptic care, carries little risk of morbidity and negligible risk of mortality.

3. Block injections

It is a non-hormonal contraceptive for men, designed to find low-cost solutions the pharmaceutical industry ignores. Its trade name is Vasalgel, and they are still researching it.

This gel is injected into the tube through which the sperm passes, just at the end where it joins the scrotum.

The process is completed in about 15 minutes, and once injected, the gel is fixed and continues as a filter, allowing the fluid passage but not the sperm. Therefore, it does not make ejaculation or orgasm impossible.

Also, block injections are just as effective as the prior technique, vasectomy. As it is not a hormonal method, Vasalgel does not have the side effects this type of treatment for women usually has. And it is that the contraceptive pill can cause migraines, weight changes, and decreased libido.

Block injections have a great advantage over vasectomy since this contraceptive method is easily reversible. A recent study published in the journal Basic and Clinical Andrology showed that the effect of Vasalgel can be reversed with an injection of sodium bicarbonate. All this without affecting fertility or sperm function.

On the other hand, another blocking injection called RISUG works very similarly to Vasalgel. According to various investigations, this new injection could guarantee contraception for 10 or 15 years and is reversible in animal models, as confirmed by the following study published in 2014 by the Indian Journal of Medical Research.

4. Birth Control Pill

A new study presented in 2019 by the Endocrine Society has shown that a male birth control pill is possible. It is another of the contraceptive methods for men that are being studied. More research is still needed, but men will also have this method to avoid pregnancy. The researchers found that the proposed hormone pill, dimethandrolone undecanoate or DMAU, effectively lowered testosterone and other hormone levels responsible for sperm production without any other side effects. Hormonal contraceptives for men are based on administering exogenous androgens and progestogens. These hormones suppress the action of gonadotropins in the testicles, altering sperm and testosterone production. Despite its effectiveness, its development has been held back by the number of side effects, according to a study in the journal Drugs.

5. Pan-retinoic acid inhibitors

Recent investigations, such as the following published in 2020 by the Journal of Reproductive Biology, have shown that the use of pan-retinoic acid receptor antagonists can reversibly inhibit spermatogenesis. The latter is the process responsible for the production and maturation of sperm in the testicle. Some experts from the University of Minnesota developed 2022 a pill capable of inhibiting these receptors. The drug is 99% effective, and the animals regained their fertility after 4 to 6 weeks. The researchers believe this would be an innovative drug-sterility option. However, these drugs can interact with other substances, such as alcohol, and cause various adverse reactions. For this reason, the procedure is still being studied in animals.

6.H2-Gamendazole

H2-Gamendazole is another male contraceptive method under study that works by blocking spermatogenesis by interrupting hormonal stimulation. However, according to a study published in 2020 by the Frontiers in Cellular and Developmental Biology Journal, it has been revealed that it could cause irreversible sterility at high doses, so its use in humans has not yet been approved.

7. Other contraceptive methods under investigation

Some pharmaceutical companies are developing gels and patches with contraceptive functions. These methods are expected to disrupt hormone production, thus disrupting gametogenesis. Hormonal injections and implants are other birth control methods for men in development. Although all of them are in the initial stages of research and no studies have been published, they are expected to reach the market in the coming years.

More contraceptive methods are needed for men.

Despite more contraceptive methods for men being studied, today, we do not have any that are as effective as the female contraceptive pill. The use of condoms is recommended whenever you want to avoid pregnancy, as well as to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Likewise, in case of doubt, it is advisable to visit a professional in sexual and reproductive health.