Male Birth Control

Male birth control is an ongoing study to find out the best method of preventing pregnancy. Research is usually centered on preventing the male sperm from penetrating the egg, and there are a various approaches that are being considered.

• Blockage – this refers to the method of using condoms to block the sperm from entering the vagina.
• Permanent birth control – refers to vasectomy or sterilization which is a surgical procedure of cutting the tying the tubes where the sperm passes.
• Hormonal – refers to keeping the sperm from penetrating the female egg. There are 2 methods such as taking hormonal pills and injection.

The systemic method of male birth control has two types, mainly immunocontraception and hormone-based male contraception; which were both conducted by researchers.

• Immunocontraception – This method of male birth control uses the natural immune system response to prevent female pregnancy. This method is feasible for animal species, however, for humans, there is a decline on the scientific interest due to unreliable results.
• Hormone-based male contraception – This method of male birth control uses hormones to control/stop the production of sperm. This method is reversible once the birth control method is stopped. Hormone-based male contraception may be injected, taken orally or implanted.

There are four types:

• Androgen is a male sex hormone which influences the reproductive system of males by inhibiting the sperm production. This happens when the androgen hormone suppresses the pituitary gland from secreting hormones. Normal sperm production requires LH and FSH pituitary hormones, and without them, the sperm cannot form properly.
• Androgen and Progestin combination helps increase the male’s testosterone levels [indirectly]; thus, slowing down sperm production by suppressing LH and FSH hormones.
• GnRH also suppresses LH and FSH hormones which results to reduced sperm count.
• Androgen and Progestin Receptor Modulators slow the production of the male sperm by altering the profile of the molecular receptors which bind the androgen and progestin hormones. This process weakens the production of sperm or the male reproductive cells improperly produce sperm.

Male birth control vs. female birth control

There is a huge difference between the male and female birth control methods. Since males have different reproductive system than females, the approach and methods, as well as the options, differ.

While female birth control methods may have several options, male birth control methods come in injections, oral pills or implants. However, research studies on male birth control are concentrated on injectables.

Continuous research

The quest for male birth control methods is still on-going. These are clinical and scientific trial-and-error studies which involve tests and gathering of results.

So far, the most promising method is the hormone-based male birth control method. When administered and used properly, there is a higher chance of preventing pregnancy.

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Understanding Male Birth Control Recommended Resources:

Cornell University

University of California at Santa Barbara