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A Male Birth Control Pill Passed Safety Tests — Here's How It Works

https://www.livescience.com/65078-male-birth-control-pill-tested-safety.html

Though birth control pills have been available to women for nearly 60 years, there's nothing equivalent on the pharmacy shelves for men. But that may change soon: Yesterday (March 25), a team of scientists announced that its unique take on a male birth control pill passed human safety tests in a 28-day trial without any participants dropping out from side effects — a problem that has stymied other male birth control attempts.

So, how does the pill work?

The researchers attribute their successful trial to the active agent in the pill, which is two hormones in one. Part progestin and part modified testosterone, the hybrid molecule means that the consumer always has matching levels of the hormones in the body. [Future of Fertility Treatment: 7 Ways Baby-Making Could Change]

The coordination of these two hormones can help dodge low sex drive or other health problems that modified homeone levels can create, said Dr. Christina Wang, the associate director of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at Los Angeles Biomed Research Institute (LA BioMed). Wang worked on the trial with researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.

When the two hormones are separate, the body processes identical doses at different speeds, Wang told Live Science. Progestin stops sperm production, but it also decreases natural testosterone levels; and if testosterone drops too low, the odds of blood clots, depression and other problems rise.

"We want [the hormones] to come on and decrease roughly together," Wang said. Since this pill always pairs progestin with something similar to testosterone, she said, the molecule will ideally keep sperm count low while also making sure there's enough of the modified sex hormone to keep its essential roles filled.

During the 28-day study, participants took a pill with either 200 or 400 milligrams of the active ingredient, or they took a placebo. The trial aimed to evaluate only the safety of the drug, not whether it worked (it would take 60 to 90 days for sperm counts to go down).

None of the men showed some of the more serious side effects that could come from too-low testosterone levels, such as higher blood pressure or depression. But the participants weren’t completely side-effect free. Of the 30 study participants taking the pill, 22 reported acne, headaches, lower sex drive, mild erectile dysfunction or tiredness, and there was an average weight gain of 2.8 or 4.2 lbs., depending on the dose. (Three people who received the placebo pill also had some complaints.)
 
How+About+No.jpg
 

Dacon

Banned
None of the men showed some of the more serious side effects that could come from too-low testosterone levels, such as higher blood pressure or depression. But the participants weren’t completely side-effect free. Of the 30 study participants taking the pill, 22 reported acne, headaches, lower sex drive, mild erectile dysfunction or tiredness, and there was an average weight gain of 2.8 or 4.2 lbs., depending on the dose. (Three people who received the placebo pill also had some complaints.)

Look, I'm all for being able to bust nuts without fear of consequence, but this is a serious deal breaker.
 

sol_bad

Member
Why is it a deal breaker? If it works than I don't see an issue with it. Some women don't do well with the pill so this is a great alternative if it ends up working.
 

godhandiscen

There are millions of whiny 5-year olds on Earth, and I AM THEIR KING.
Look, I'm all for being able to bust nuts without fear of consequence, but this is a serious deal breaker.

It's the same effect the pill has on a relevant percentage of women. Now, imagine how bad the situation is for women to want to take the pill considering these consequences.
In HS, i knew of a girl who took it because her idiot boyfriend wanted to get her pregnant and she was scared he would break the condoms.
 

Dacon

Banned
Why is it a deal breaker? If it works than I don't see an issue with it. Some women don't do well with the pill so this is a great alternative if it ends up working.

For me personally, I'm already not in too great of health due to several prexisting conditions, so I don't really want headaches, tiredness and additional weight gain on top of that.


It's the same effect the pill has on a relevant percentage of women. Now, imagine how bad the situation is for women to want to take the pill considering these consequences.
In HS, i knew of a girl who took it because her idiot boyfriend wanted to get her pregnant and she was scared he would break the condoms.

Uh, okay?
 
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jadedm17

Member
Gain weight and not want to have sex.... Sounds great!
(I'm not against the idea, it's only fair... but lol at those side effects.)

(Three people who received the placebo pill also had some complaints.)
Thanks! I'd love to hear more on this part!
 
Bring on Vasogel already over this shit. Even the most user friendly birth control (the implant) has metabolic side effects. Vasogel is the only method that mechanically blocks sperm while not causing side effects and lessening sensation.
 

badblue

Gold Member
Shame that the hormonal male birth control gets more attention then something like vasagel.

Thought it's not surprising since a pill has a monthly cost and the gel is more of a one and done kind of deal.
 

sol_bad

Member
People laughing at the side effects, it's what many women go through on the pill too. It's doesn't mean it will definitely happen but when you are playing around with hormones it can happen.
 

Dacon

Banned
Bring on Vasogel already over this shit. Even the most user friendly birth control (the implant) has metabolic side effects. Vasogel is the only method that mechanically blocks sperm while not causing side effects and lessening sensation.

Hey I remember hearing about this stuff, it's pretty neat. I wonder why it doesnt get more attention.
 
People laughing at the side effects, it's what many women go through on the pill too. It's doesn't mean it will definitely happen but when you are playing around with hormones it can happen.

Womens side effects are often way worse than that, that's not bad actually. But there's many types of birth control pills for women so YMMV.
 

Dontero

Banned
Someone should give those researchers some drings and let them get it on because they clearly don't understand that most of pleasure comes from cum itself rushing out.

Condoms are already bad and this will be even worse.
 

Yoshi

Headmaster of Console Warrior Jugendstrafanstalt
Womens side effects are often way worse than that, that's not bad actually. But there's many types of birth control pills for women so YMMV.
73% reporting side effects after taking it for a month is pretty hefty. I do not know for sure for women, but is the rate that high?
 
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