Search Weight Loss Topics:




Mar 13

Male hormonal birth control? It may be closer than you think – University of California

Testosterone Comments Off on Male hormonal birth control? It may be closer than you think – University of California

Matthew Trevio and Emily Fletcher are self-described DINKWADs double income, no kids, with a dog. The Sacramento couple, who met and work at UC Davis, are as committed to each other as they are to not having children, which makes reliable birth control especially important. But except for condoms or a vasectomy, all birth control options currently available are for women. Trevio, 35, and Fletcher, 28, believe contraception should be more of a shared responsibility.

Maybe the burden is on the wrong side, said Trevio. I kind of think its unfair, that it only lands on the women.

They have been participating in a clinical trial at UC Davis Health to test a reversible hormonal birth control gel for men. If successful, male hormonal birth control has the potential to make the responsibility of contraception more equitable. The clinical trial, funded by the National Institutes of Health and taking place at sites around the world, is currently in its fourth year at UC Davis Health.

The hormonal gel, developed by the Population Council and the NIH, is applied to the shoulders and works by suppressing sperm production while maintaining testosterone levels. The gel works with the same principles as female hormonal birth control, which uses two hormones progestin and estrogen to prevent pregnancy.

The gel has a progestin called Nesterone, which prevents the testes from making sperm, explained Mitchell Creinin, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and a family planning specialist at UC Davis Health. During that process, natural testosterone production also stops.

For a man to feel normal and even be able to have sex, he needs testosterone. So, we give Nesterone plus testosterone.

Participating in the trial wasnt an easy decision for the couple. Fletcher had been on some form of birth control since age 12. The trial meant going off birth control at a pivotal time just when Roe v. Wade was overturned.

I was worried, said Fletcher. There was still a thought in the back of my mind that maybe this will be an issue if the drug doesnt work and I get pregnant.

Fletcher and Trevio did their homework on the trial and examined the data. They both work as researchers. Ultimately, they both decided it was the right thing for themselves and for their relationship.

The hormonal gel comes in a canister about the size of a can of shaving cream, and it holds two weeks worth of doses. Trevio, a former Marine, has made applying the hormonal gel part of his morning routine, squirting just a small amount on his tattooed shoulders.

The list of possible side effects from the gel is long and includes dry or oily skin, increased or decreased libido, hair growth or loss, and mood swings. Besides what may be a little weight gain from the drug, Trevio has had only one other side effect.

Ive only experienced increased libido, he said. Maybe Im just lucking out but I hope this is the case for the majority of participants. If it is, its definitely going to change contraception as a whole.

Fletcher said shes had to adjust to Trevios increased libido. But she says their sex life comes with a lot less worry.

Knowing that his sperm count is essentially zero is definitely peace of mind, Fletcher said.

Researchers hoped the gel would work about as well as the female birth control pill, but its working even better than expected, said Creinin.

Link:
Male hormonal birth control? It may be closer than you think - University of California

Related Posts

    Your Full Name

    Your Email

    Your Phone Number

    Select your age (30+ only)

    Select Your US State

    Program Choice

    Confirm over 30 years old

    Yes

    Confirm that you resident in USA

    Yes

    This is a Serious Inquiry

    Yes

    Message:



    matomo tracker