A new reversible injection birth control that provide men condom-free sex for a year, is in the making. According to findings published in the journal Basic and Clinical Andrology, researchers have found that a single injection of the new contraceptive called Vasalgel can provide males condomfree sex for a year. Men currently have few options for reproductive control, including condoms and vasectomy. While condoms are widely available and useful in preventing diseases when used correctly, they have an 18 per cent yearly pregnancy rate in typical use.
Vasectomy is a surgical procedure for male sterilisation or permanent contraception. During the procedure, the male vas deferens are severed and then tied or sealed in a manner so as to prevent sperm from entering into the seminal stream (ejaculate) and thereby prevent fertilization.
While vasectomy is effective and considered permanent, there are no long-acting, reversible contraceptives currently available for men. Birth control is a common concern for women and men. While women have many options when choosing a birth control method, men have fewer options.
Vasalgel, developed by U.S-based non-profit company, Parsemus Foundation, consists of styrenealt- maleic acid (SMA) dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide and could be the first long-acting, nonhormonal, potentially reversible male contraceptive to reach market, the researchers said. In the preclinical trials with rabbits, the researchers confirmed that the contraceptive effect of Vasalgel was durable over the 12 month study period. ”
Results from our study in rabbits were even better than expected,” said lead author of the study, Donald Waller, professor at University of Illinois at Chicago in the United States (U.S). “Vasalgel produces a very rapid contraceptive effect which lasted throughout the study due to its unique hydrogel properties. These features are important considerations for a contraceptive product to be used in humans,” Waller noted.
