Male hormonal contraception: main features

Traditionally hormonal contraception is aimed at women, however, male contraception using hormonal and non-hormonal methods is an attractive alternative.

Today, there are classic methods of male contraception such as condoms and vasectomy, but there is ongoing research into other approaches that would provide reliable contraception, be easy to use and have a reversible effect.

On estet-portal.com read more about modern methods of male contraception.

Male non-hormonal and hormonal contraception: main benefits

If you look at the selection of contraceptives available on the market, most of them are for women. Condoms and vasectomy are two methods currently used by men.

The ideal contraceptive for men should be readily available, cheap, easy to use, free of side effects, and not affecting libido.

Hormonal contraception in men is a very promising alternative to conventional methods of pregnancy prevention as it is more reliable, safe and reversible.

Features of the selection of oral contraceptives: what examinations the patient should undergo

Classic methods of male contraception

The first and most basic method of male contraception – it's a condom. However, very often patients are allergic to the material from which it is made, and also note the inconvenience of using condoms in long-term relationships.

Another method of male contraception – vasectomy. This is a simple operation, performed under local anesthesia, in which the vas deferens is tied up. However, there is a delay in the development of azoospermia and effective contraception after surgery, necessitating the use of alternative contraceptives like condoms during this period.

Another disadvantage of vasectomy is that as the time elapsed since the procedure increases, the reversibility ratio decreases.

Non-hormonal methods of contraception include blocking sperm production at the level of the testicles, disruption of sperm maturation at the level of the epididymis, and impaired mobility.

Read the latest articles in Telegram!

Male hormonal contraception: a brief summary

Male hormonal contraception is aimed at suppressing spermatogenesis. To achieve the target oligospermia or azoospermia, intracellular levels of testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone must be reduced.

Testosterone undecanoate, testosterone gel, combination therapy with testosterone and progesterone, use of etonogestrel implants in combination with testosterone are used for this. The use of these methods in patients has shown that they can achieve high rates of azoospermia.

Hormonal contraceptives: should they be feared

Alternative methods of male contraception

An alternative method of preventing pregnancy is the topical application of heat. Under the influence of high temperature, the number of spermatozoa decreases.

Gossypol - a plant extract obtained from the cotton plant, blocks spermatogenesis and reduces sperm motility.

Tryptolide - Chinese herbal extract reduces motility and sperm count. However, in animal experiments, the effect of the use of this substance was irreversible. The compound has also been found to have immunosuppressive properties.
Indenopyridines are experimental compounds that can affect Sertoli cells and germ cells.

Miglustat is an inhibitor of glycosphingolipid synthesis. Causes infertility by reducing sperm motility and altering acrosome morphology.

Reversible sperm inhibition is being developed as an alternative to vasectomy. Within a few minutes after injection into the vas deferens, the active substance hardens and is fixed on its microscopic folds, creating a blockade for the transport of spermatozoa. Once the sperm comes into contact with the polymer, the combination of positive and negative charges on the surface of the polymer exposes the sperm membrane to ionic stress, which in turn ruptures the sperm membrane.

Although there is quite a bit of research on male contraceptive methods, most men opt for vasectomy and condoms. In this case, the task of the doctor is to tell the patient about the availability of alternative methods of preventing pregnancy, which are more effective and safe.

You may also be interested in: Female condoms, diaphragms and other methods of contraception