A new molecule could offer non-hormonal contraceptive options for people who produce sperm, according to new research published in The American Chemical Society (ACS)’s Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
Limited contraceptive options
People who produce sperm are currently limited to two forms of contraception – condoms, which can fail, and a vasectomy, a surgical procedure that is regarded as a permanent form of sterilization. A 2019 survey by the Male Contraceptive Initiative found that 70% of men in the United States aged 18–44 are “somewhat or very interested in new male contraception.”
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“Scientists have been trying for decades to develop an effective male oral contraceptive, but there are still no approved pills on the market,” Dr. Abdullah Al Noman, a graduate student in the Georg lab, said. Most contraceptive drugs in preclinical development target the sex hormone testosterone, which can lead to adverse side effects including depression, weight gain and increased cholesterol levels. “We wanted to develop a non-hormonal male contraceptive to avoid these side effects,” Noman added.