– We are always hearing about breakthroughs in male birth control but I never seem to hear about it again. Why is this? Is there a reason why multiple different forms of male birth control never seem to materialize for sale?
In: Biology
There are two major points:
1) The female body already has an ‘anti-pregnancy’ measure built in as part of a routine (a period) along with a ‘backup’ (terminating the pregnancy) so there are multiple reversable options that are already in place that you just have to convince the body to use. Males don’t have this. The only way for it to work is to prevent sperm from existing/being viable to cause pregnancy without being permanent.
A few years ago there was one that was ‘promising’ at least until preliminary tests. It more or less functioned as a reversible vasotomy by eliminating the production of sperm. The problem is the body really wants to produce it to breed. Because of this there were side effects – not ‘oh the test subject has a headache’ rather every single test subject had at least one SERIOUS side effect. Like drinking a bottle of vodka daily level of bad side effect. (note I said at least one) and the scientists running the test had to pull the plug despite the test subjects willingness to go forward.
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