New male contraceptive pill tested

A new male contraceptive pill has been tested in healthy men by American researchers and has proven to be a way to slow down sperm production without affecting libido.

The results of the first phase of the study on the drug, tested in 40 healthy men, were presented today at the annual meeting of the Society of Endocrinology, which takes place in New Orleans, United States.

“Our results suggest that this tablet, which combines two hormonal activities into one, slows the production of sperm while maintaining libido,” said one researcher, Christina Wang, of the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute in California.

The male oral contraceptive is called 11-beta-MNTDC and consists of modified testosterone that combines the actions of a male hormone, androgen, and progesterone.

“The goal is to find the compound with fewer side effects and more effective,” added the researcher.