Hormonal Contraceptive

Have you ever heard of a male hormonal contraceptive? Women have had the option of taking a safe, effective, and reversible form of contraception for a very long time, since the 1960's. Female contraceptives use hormones such as estrogens and progestins that to stop the release of eggs in order to prevent pregnancy. Male hormonal contraceptives work in almost the same way. They use hormones such as testosterone and progestins, in order to stop sperm production. 

How do male hormonal contraceptives work and what is the ultimate goal? Male hormonal contraceptives would attempt to block or suppress the production of sperm. They would do so by stopping the secretions of a male’s reproductive hormones in his brain as well as testicles. When a man’s level of testosterone in his testicles are low, his sperm production slows or halts. Typical hormonal contraceptives for men will provide a replacement testosterone to a man’s bloodstream to maintain male characteristics such as muscle mass and facial hair.

The ultimate goal of male hormonal contraceptives is the complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate, known as azoospermia. Hormonal contraceptives for men are still not available to the public. Researches around the world are still developing male contraceptives that are potentially safer, more effective, and more convenient. In other words, male hormonal contraceptives are still in various stages of research and development. As of now, the only safe and effective male contraceptives known are condoms and vasectomy.