Male birth control shot effective in preventing pregnancy
A CONRAD and World Health Organization-sponsored contraceptive study found that a combination of hormones delivered via injection to men were effective in preventing pregnancy.
The final results, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, found that the shot was effective for 92.5 percent of participants, which is comparable to female contraceptive methods.
While the results were promising, an ethics board overseeing the study shut down the trial after some reported heavy mood swings, depression, severe acne and increased libido.
The injection combined two hormones, an androgen and a progesterone. “We learned that the combination is effective, but may need to be reformulated to reduce side effects,” says Doug Colvard, MD, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at EVMS, Deputy Director of Programs at CONRAD and lead scientist on the study.
Currently, no further development is planned for this particular birth control shot.