The results of studies of contraceptive pills for men that do not contain hormones (as opposed to those taken by women) are encouraging.

In particular, a pill that targets a protein that controls sperm swimming actually delays sperm for hours. Thus, the sperm does not have time to reach the egg.

So far, studies have only been done on mice, but scientists are preparing to move on to rabbits and then to humans.

The goal is for the user to take the pill about an hour before sex and be aware that after a few hours the effect will wear off.

How it works

As already mentioned, this pill does not contain hormones, so you can not be afraid that it will cause side effects on testosterone or other male hormones.

This pill blocks a protein, soluble adenylate cyclase (or sAC), which controls sperm swimming.

According to a study funded by the US National Institutes of Health and published in Connection with naturea single dose of a drug called TDI-11861 immobilized sperm before, during and after intercourse.

The effect of the pill lasted about three hours. If the pill is ultimately effective in humans, men may be able to take it when needed as a contraceptive.

In any case, of course, it will be necessary to use a condom to prevent the transmission of venereal diseases.

Alan Pacey, professor of andrology at the University of Sheffield, told the BBC: “The need for effective male contraception is on the rise. While many different approaches have been tried, none have made it to market. This approach – by “deactivating” an enzyme that sperm need to swim – is truly groundbreaking.”

Meanwhile, other researchers are taking a different approach to preventing sperm from swimming by blocking a protein on their surface.