In a move that could revolutionize birth control, scientists have designed a monthly testosterone injection that could be as effective as the female birth control pill. According to a report in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, trials that took place in China saw only 1 in 100 men father a child while taking the shot; six months after stopping the injections, their sperm counts were back to normal. The shots had no serious side effects, unlike previous attempts to develop a male contraceptive, which had problems ranging from reliability to lowered sex drive. Lead researcher Dr. Yi-Qun Gu, from the National Research Institute for Family Planning in Beijing, China, told the BBC: “For couples who cannot, or prefer not to use only female-orientated contraception, options have been limited to vasectomy, condom and withdrawal. Our study shows a male hormonal contraceptive regimen may be a potential, novel and workable alternative.” If further tests prove successful, it could become available as soon as five years from now.
General
Male contraceptive shot on horizon
Injection could be as effective as female hormone pill or condom
