The Male Pill: A Work in Progress
Reported March 31, 2008
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — Researchers are making progress on the development of a male version of the pill.
Investigators from Australia have found the male form of hormonal contraception works best when men are given a combination of the male hormone testosterone and a synthetic version of the female hormone progesterone, known as progestin.
The study involved a review of 30 previous studies conducted on male hormonal contraception. Overall, the trials involved about 1,700 men between the ages of 18 and 51 who were given different formulations of the male pill. The combination of testosterone and progestin was most effective in suppressing the production of sperm to levels considered consistent with reliable contraception. Adding progestin also made it possible to reduce the level of testosterone, which is considered safer for men.
But dont look for a male pill on the market any time soon. The researchers note more work is needed to find the exact right combination of the two hormones, because while the combo is effective in some men, it is less effective in others, and it is difficult to tell who will respond well and who wont.
Considerable progress has been made toward finding an effective combination of these two hormones, study author Peter Y. Liu, Ph.D., of the University of Sydney, was quoted as saying. However, the current analysis didnt take into account the different types of progestins, so more research will need to be done to find the optimum therapy.
SOURCE: To be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism