Male contraceptive pill to soon be a reality?
In a major breakthrough, scientists have developed a safe, effective male contraceptive pill that doesn't kill libido. Called dimethandrolone undecanoate, or DMAU, it could be the first, much-awaited alternative to condoms, which were invented in 1855. Though women contraceptive drugs have been available for 70 years now, pills for men never reached fruition as males metabolize/clear out the delivered hormones too quickly. Here's more.
DMAU tested on 83 men aged between 18-50 years
Researchers at the University of Washington Medical Centre tested three doses of DMAU (100/200/400mg) for a month on 83 men aged between 18-50 years. DMAU has a long-chain fatty acid which slows down clearance, allowing one dose a day. Like women contraceptive pills, it combines the effect of male hormone androgen and progestin. On the research's first/last day, their blood was tested for hormone/cholesterol.
It works only when taken with food
According to The Telegraph, the scientists found that the subjects: -When given 400mg of DMAU daily, showed suppressed levels of testosterone and two hormones needed for producing sperms -Experienced weight gain and a slump in HDL or good cholesterol -Didn't much report symptoms of testosterone deficiency/excess. Also, the experimental pill worked only when taken with food -Cleared safety tests, even markers of liver/kidney health.
