Here’s the rub – contraceptive gel for men

A NEW contraceptive option for men may soon become available.

The US National Institutes of Health announced the start of a trial for a male contraceptive in gel form, called NES/T. The gel, rubbed into the shoulders daily, contains a combination of testosterone and a progestin compound called Nestorone. The progestin blocks a male’s natural testosterone production, thus gradually reducing sperm count.

The testosterone in the gel then ensures sex drive and other bodily functions aren’t disrupted and continue as normal.

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, part of the NIH, is enrolling 420 couples from around the world to test how well the gel works to prevent pregnancy and examine how well people like it and whether men will use it as directed.

In the first phase of the study, the men will apply the gel daily for 4–12 weeks to see whether there are side effects.

If their sperm levels haven’t decreased enough to prevent pregnancy after 12 weeks, they’ll continue using the gel for up to 16 weeks.

Once sperm levels have decreased enough to be considered as an effective contraceptive, the couples will be monitored for a further 52 weeks to see if it prevents pregnancy. The men will be monitored for side effects for a further 24 weeks once they stop using the gel.

“This is the first time that men are using it as part of a couple to test for effectiveness,” said Diana Blithe, chief of NICHD’s contraceptive development program.

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