Male Birth Control Injected Into The Groin Could Be Available In 2020
The Indian Council of Medical Research announced that they have successfully completed a clinical trial of the world’s first injectable male contraceptive and could be available for mass production in only six months.
According to Hindustan Times, the contraceptive is effective for 13 years and is supposed to be a “replacement for a surgical vasectomy.” Currently, surgical vasectomies are the only male sterilization method that is available in the world and this new method is one through an injection to the genitals.
ICMR sent the results over to the Drug Controller General of India and is now waiting for the green light, hoping to be approved. Dr. RS Sharma, senior scientist with ICS who is leading the research, stated that the product is indeed ready, with only regulatory approvals pending with the Drugs Controller. She noted, “The trials are over, including extended, phase 3 clinical trials for which 303 candidates were recruited with 97.3% success rate and no reported side-effects. The product can safely be called the world’s first male contraceptive.”
This will be the first birth control available for men, as other male birth controls are still under development. There was previously another male contraceptive showing promise in 2016 but was quickly stopped after it produced “several side effects” such as mood changes and acne.
Still, this male contraception is said to be injected under local in anesthesia and described as a polymer gel, which is known as a reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance “made of a compound called Styrene Maleic Anhydride. A registered medical professional will inject it at the sperm containing tube near the male’s testicles and the “polymer will block the tube so no sperm is delivered to the penis.”
The polymer has been heavily researched through clinical studies and developed since the 1970s. Effects will slowly wear off after 13 years. Still, it’s important to note that this is still under development which is why experts want to make sure that it’s “good quality” and is waiting for all approvals to be granted before they can begin to mass manufacture it. Which will likely take around six to seven months before it is approved.
