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A male contraceptive pill is entering a clinical trial after showing promising results in a preliminary research study.
Studies have shown that about 99% of male contraceptive pills prevent pregnancy, according to Yahoo! News.
These pills made by the University of Minnesota are known only as YCT529. Dr. Gunda George, one of the researchers, described the pill as “very, very promising.”
The pill was very effective in experiments on rats and the side effects were minimal and not permanent.
Women’s contraceptive pills have been on the market for over 60 years. But there has been a slowdown in the market for pills for men because the pills target the male sex hormone testosterone.
“The female pill has been available for 60 years now, and the male pill has lagged behind,” says George.
A pill that lowers testosterone in men will enhance feminine features like breasts and feminine voice. Side effects include weight gain, depression and mood swings, which may not be attractive to macho men.
“Scientists have been trying for decades to develop an effective male oral contraceptive, but there are still no approved pills on the market,” said Abdullah Al Noman, a graduate student at the University of Minnesota. Said in a statement.
About half the men are responding A survey Said they are willing to take the pill.
