A new male contraceptive, which is as easy as rubbing a gel onto a man’s shoulders, is currently being trialled – making women all over the world wonder why nothing this simple was created for them.
How does it work?
It is an absorbent gel which is delicately rubbed onto a mans shoulders. The concentration of the gel functions as a steroid which includes both testosterone and progestin. The two steroids work together to decrease viable sperm production. The gel is absorbed into the bloodstream and goes to work to lower a man’s sperm count.
The study estimates that over a 12 week period of applying the gel there will be a noticeable difference in the production of healthy sperm in the participants.
Dr Stephanie Page, a representative who studies male reproduction at the University of Washington explained to Business insider how the application of the gel would work.
“They just do a pump, rub it in their two hands, and then rub it on their shoulders,” she said.
It is as easy as that but, there are potential rubbing risks as those who come into contact with the gel may be at risk of absorbing it as well.
Page indicated that there have been a few recorded cases of subjects having acne, slight headaches and insomnia – something that is not uncommon for users of female contraceptives. Female contraception methods have been known to cause illnesses such as cervical cancer, breast cancer and long term use of the pill, or alternative methods, can wreak havoc on a user’s health.
“The goal of the whole field of male contraceptive development is to try and create choices for men and families,” she said.
With that said – the burden of contraception should be shared fairly and everyone should be able to dab some contraceptive on their shoulders and feel protected.
Condoms are traditionally used but are not 100% safe and preventative in causing pregnancy. Although there are projects in the works to creative the “male pill” – the sole responsibility for effective protection has been reliant on the female contraceptives and the condom.
The trial is being conducted by a panel of international doctors and is still open to new participants. It will begin in the United States in early July of this year.
Women have various methods of birth control from the contraceptive pill, the hormonal injection, the patch or the implant – the trial for male contraceptives offers a sigh of relief for many women, but also raises a few questions.
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