Birth Control Pills for Men - Everything You Need to Know!

Introduction

When most people hear the words “birth control,” they think about pills, patches, or intrauterine devices (IUDs) that women use. For years, contraception has been considered a woman’s domain. And while women have a wide range of choices, men are usually left with two: condoms or a vasectomy.

Meanwhile, the world’s population has increased more than 2.6 times over the past 60 years. From 8 billion in 2022, projections show it will hit 9 billion by 2037. These numbers underscore an urgent need for effective and accessible family planning methods, not just for women but for men as well. Yet, despite the clear need, breakthroughs in contraception have been disappointingly rare, especially for men. That may be about to change.

What Does Male Birth Control Mean?

Male birth control refers to any method used by men to prevent pregnancy. These methods are extremely limited and mostly revolve around barrier methods or permanent procedures.

The male contraceptive pill, if successfully developed, would offer men a convenient, reversible, and effective method, similar to the female oral contraceptive that revolutionized women's health decades ago. It would also significantly shift the dynamic in family planning, allowing men to take more proactive roles.

What Are the Birth Control Options for Men?

Today, men's options for contraception are few and far between:

• Condoms: Widely available and offer STI (sexually transmitted infections) protection, but are prone to failure due to breakage or misuse.

• Vasectomy: A minor surgical procedure that offers permanent contraception. Though reversals are possible, they are not always successful.

• Withdrawal: Highly unreliable and prone to failure, especially with no STI protection.

There are no oral contraceptive pills for men currently approved, but that might soon change thanks to exciting scientific breakthroughs.

How Does Birth Control for Men Work?

Male birth control options for men work by interfering with sperm production, sperm function, or the delivery of sperm in a way that prevents fertilization of a woman’s egg. Unlike female contraception, which often involves suppressing ovulation, male contraception must address the continuous production of millions of sperm per day without permanently affecting fertility, hormone balance, or sexual function.

What Are the Hormonal and Non-hormonal Pills in Development?

1. Hormonal Birth Control for Men

Hormonal methods use synthetic versions of testosterone, often combined with progestins (similar to female hormones), to suppress the production of sperm in the testes.

• The brain naturally produces hormones called FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) to stimulate sperm and testosterone production.

• Hormonal contraceptives disrupt this signal, leading to a temporary drop in sperm count, often to near-zero levels.

• Testosterone is added to maintain normal male characteristics (like libido, muscle mass, and energy) since internal testosterone production also decreases during this process.

Forms Being Tested:

• Pills (e.g., DMAU - Dimethandrolone Undecanoate).

• Gels (e.g., NES/T) (Nestorone/Testosterone - a combination gel).

• Injections (e.g., Testosterone + Norethisterone).

2. Non-hormonal Birth Control for Men

These approaches directly target sperm or the pathways they travel without altering hormone levels. They are especially promising due to minimal side effects and faster reversibility.

How They Work:

• Block sperm development (e.g., targeting proteins like STK33 (serine/threonine kinase 33), necessary for healthy sperm).

• Disable sperm motility so they cannot reach or fertilize the egg.

• Physically block sperm flow, such as with RISUG (a chemical that disables sperm in the vas deferens) or IVD (a sperm-filtering device).

Examples:

• CDD-2807: A pill that blocks STK33, reducing sperm motility without affecting testosterone.

• RISUG (Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance): A reversible chemical is injected into the vas deferens to block sperm.

Male Birth Control Pill Development: Latest Research and Breakthroughs?

There has been development in men's birth control. Some are as follows:

Testosterone Injections: These hormonal injections suppress sperm production by lowering the brain's signal to the testes. Weekly or monthly testosterone shots can significantly reduce sperm counts.

Side effects include:

• Acne.

• Injection site pain.

• Weight gain.

• Mood changes.

• Altered cholesterol levels.

They are more effective when combined with progestins (hormones like progesterone).

Hormonal Contraceptive Gel (NES/T)

This is a daily gel applied to the shoulders or arms. It contains Nestorone, which blocks sperm production, and testosterone, which maintains libido and other male characteristics. NES/T is currently in phase II clinical trials and showing promising results.

Hormonal Combination Injections

Combining hormones such as testosterone undecanoate (TU) and norethisterone enanthate (NETE) allows longer intervals (every six to eight weeks). These injections reduce sperm production but may cause:

• Acne.

• Muscle pain.

• Mood fluctuations

Testosterone Plus GnRH Antagonists

These agents block the release of hormones that signal sperm production. They are extremely effective but are currently expensive and require frequent administration. A long-acting formulation like Degarelix is in development.

Hormonal Male Birth Control Pill (DMAU)

Oral testosterone alone isn’t practical—it’s often toxic or requires multiple daily doses. Dimethandrolone Undecanoate (DMAU), a testosterone-like compound that shows promise as a once-daily male contraceptive pill.

Reported side effects:

• Weight gain.

• Raised hemoglobin levels.

• Changes in blood lipids.

Non-hormonal Contraception: RISUG

RISUG (Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance) is a revolutionary method. A polymer is injected into the vas deferens, blocking sperm and disabling any that get through.

When pregnancy is desired, a second injection flushes out the polymer. RISUG is in advanced clinical testing.

Non-hormonal Method: IVD (Intra-Vas Device)

An experimental technique, IVD, involves placing a tiny filter inside the vas deferens to trap sperm. Unlike RISUG, it is mechanical rather than chemical and is still being evaluated for long-term safety and effectiveness.

Birth Control Vaccine

Researchers are testing vaccines that target proteins in sperm, such as Eppin, GnRH, or FSH. These aim to train the immune system to reduce or eliminate sperm.

But they come with challenges:

• Irreversibility in some men.

• Need for frequent booster shots.

• Varying effectiveness.

At present, the birth control vaccine is not a reliable or approved option.

What Are the Male Birth Control Pill Side Effects?

While researchers aim to minimize side effects, some have been observed in early human trials of hormonal pills. The male birth control pill side effects are as follows:

• Mild acne.

• Slight weight gain.

• Mood fluctuations.

• Minor changes in libido or cholesterol.

However, non-hormonal options like CDD-2807 show minimal to no side effects. Since they do not interfere with testosterone or other endocrine functions, they may offer a better safety profile than hormonal pills.

Conclusion

The future of male birth control is finally within reach. Scientists are making exciting progress, whether with STK33 inhibitors, non-hormonal options, or better hormonal pills. These breakthroughs could soon make contraception a shared responsibility, not just a woman's burden. But this is not only about science. It is about fairness, choice, and how relationships work today. As couples grow more equal in every way, so should the tools they rely on. And for men, being able to take control of their fertility might soon be as simple as taking a pill. The change is coming.

Key Note From iCliniq

Male birth control pills are under development to safely and reversibly suppress sperm production, offering a future alternative to condoms and vasectomy. Consult our experts anytime from the comfort of your home at icliniq.com. Get expert care, quick responses, and valuable advice anytime, anywhere with iCliniq.