A male contraceptive solution, in the form of a gel effective for several years, is currently being tested in primates in the United States.
For a long time, the idea of a contraception equivalent to that of the pill, but intended for men, has made people fantasize. But today, the male pill is part of the real thing. Named Vasalgel, a male contraceptive pill currently in development is again talking about it. It continues its good momentum and should be approved soon by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Long-lasting effectiveness and reversibility
The word pill is also not appropriate, this new method of contraception being tested is a polymer called Risug, which is in the form of a gel. The gel would be injected under local anesthesia into the scrotum (the pocket that surrounds the testicles), to reach the vas deferens, which allow the sperm to be transported to the testes.
The gel works by blocking the arrival of sperm to its final destination. However, ejaculation is not prevented; only, it does not contain sperm. The duration of action would be ten years. Unlike vasectomy (where the vas deferens are cut) which is an irreversible method of contraception, the gel can be dissolved by the reverse procedure – even several months or years later.
Animal clinical trials
At the origin of this potential revolution in the contraception sector is a non-profit foundation: the Parsemus Foundation. The latter has indicated that it is undergoing clinical trials in animals, in particular non-human primates. The results should be known by the end of the year. As for clinical trials, they should begin by the end of 2015 or in 2016, predicts the Foundation, for commercialization by 2018. A little more patience before men and women are equal before contraception .
.
