New Male Contraceptive Pill Lasts 2 Years And Has 100 Percent Success Rate
New scientific research appears to be close to a breakthrough in the virgin world of male contraception. This new process involves injecting a gel, known as Vasalgel, into the tubes used by sperm to swim down the penis, which then acts as a physical barrier.
The injection of Vasalgel has already been trialled on Rhesus monkeys, in a study published on Basic and Clinical Andrology, including 10 who were already fathers. The study was conducted at the University of California and aimed to prove that the process could actually prevent pregnancy, rather than simply blocking sperm. Having been observed for a week, the monkeys under trial were released back into their co-ed habitat, rejoining their fertile female counterparts. Researchers found that, whilst the monkeys were still mating, over a period of more than a year, and up to two years in particular cases, there were no resultant pregnancies.
What makes these results especially compelling is their comparison to the tradition pill, which has a typical success rate of 99 per in humans. Vasalgel has a 100 per cent success rate in the most recent trial on Rhesus monkeys.Additionally, the side effects reported by men from previous hormonal injection trials, of low moods, depression and muscle problems, did not appear to materialise in the Rhesus monkey trial for Vasalgel.
Men’s options for contraception have not changed much in decades. There’s vasectomy, which is poorly reversible, and condoms. If they knew they could get a reliable contraceptive that could also be reversed I think it would be appealing to them.One of the great things about the monkey model is that the male reproductive tract is very similar to humans and they have even more sperm than humans do. Chances are, it’s going to be effective in humans.
It is worth noting that this method of contraception would not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. However, in terms of an effective method of pregnancy prevention, early signs are extremely positive. And it is not yet clear how long it will be, or if indeed the procedure will get to the point of public availability however, clinical trials on humans seem set to take place sooner rather than later.