There are many methods of contraception, but women often seem to be in a relatively "passive" position. For most couples, if the man doesn't use a condom, it seems that the only option is for the woman to take birth control pills.
In romantic relationships, many men often struggle with the dilemma of whether to use condoms, which are the simplest method but are somewhat inconvenient, or to make their girlfriends take emergency contraception, which is too harmful to their health and makes them feel bad.
Here's some good news! According to a report in the Times of India on November 20, India has developed an injectable male contraceptive and completed clinical trials. It is currently awaiting approval from the local drug regulatory authority and is expected to be ready for mass production in 6-7 months.
The first male contraceptive injection has passed trials and has an effective period of up to 13 years.
Originally thought to be a male contraceptive that would allow men to confidently promise, "It's okay, I can take the pill if I don't use a condom," the fact that it has a 13-year effective period has deterred many men.
This injectable male contraceptive, named RISUG, is, according to its developer, bioengineer Sujoy K. Guha, a polymer of styrene-maleic anhydride. It needs to be injected near the vas deferens by a professional doctor. RISUG works through the SMA polyelectrolyte effect, "tearing apart" sperm that are carried away, causing sperm death or damage, preventing them from effectively fertilizing an egg. RISUG performed well in phase III clinical trials, achieving a 97.3% success rate in preventing pregnancy , and no side effects have been reported so far.
Many netizens commented that the 13-year validity period is practically equivalent to "semi-sterilization." Sujoy K.Guha also stated that this injectable male contraceptive may replace vasectomy surgery to achieve long-term contraception.
13 years is too long? You have another option!
In March of this year, a research team from the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute and the University of Washington also announced their research findings on male contraception: a male contraceptive drug tentatively named 11-β-MNTDC has passed Phase I clinical trials and is expected to be available on the market within ten years!
Unlike the Indian male contraceptive injection that offers 13 years of long-acting contraception, 11-β-MNTDC is an oral contraceptive. Through the combined action of androgens and progesterone, long-term oral administration can lower testosterone levels in men and inhibit sperm production, thereby achieving contraception .
Of course, it is reversible; once you stop taking the medication for a period of time, you can return to normal . It is a safe and effective oral contraceptive for men.
However, we'll have to wait another ten years, if all goes well...
Before these two male contraceptive pills are officially available, women will have to bear the majority of the responsibility for contraception. As for methods like the rhythm method and withdrawal, which can easily lead to pregnancy, it's best to use them sparingly. Condoms are your safest and most reliable partner!
