Hope for a male pill but don’t hold your breath, ladies

It would seem only fair that, since women have the evolutionary role of growing the human fetus and then birthing said child, that men should be responsible for contraception as a “quid pro quo”.

Of course, we all know this is not the case, with the lion’s share of contraception being undertaken by women since time began.

There have been whispers of a male contraceptive pill for years with trials conducted globally. Still, at this time in Australia, the male contraceptive pill remains elusive.

The reason lies in both the male endocrine (hormone) system being more difficult to control and men being more intolerant of side effects, particularly those related to their libido and erectile function.

Early male contraceptive options included gels and injections or implants, however the trials that are most advanced currently are a male contraceptive pill.

There are two frontrunners that rely on a high dose of testosterone in combination with progestin, which then blocks the male body from producing its own testosterone and sperm.

Early trials required three doses a day, which would logically make this less acceptable to patients. Newer versions use a longer acting single-dose pill but significantly more research is required on dosage and variability to ensure it is highly effective.

Side effects are another huge hurdle and I must say I had a chuckle reading the intolerable side effects stated in the clinical trials resulting in early cessation. These included:

● Fatigue (yes, we women know fatigue – try breastfeeding every three hours and not sleeping for nine months when pregnant);

● Low libido (arguably the most common side effect of the female pill);

●Acne (also a common side effect of many female contraceptives);

● Bloating and increased appetite.

While this list is not complete, the majority of side effects for men are those mentioned above. Comparatively, female contraceptive agents can also cause increased risk of blood clots, migraines, vaginal dryness and mood changes. And yet these female contraceptive agents are all released after trials and remain the mainstay of contraception in society, while not one of the male agents has made it through to production and distribution.

It is my opinion that, unless males accept a level of side effect or downside as part of playing their role in the contraceptive journey, we will be writing the same article in 10 year’s time.

So, ladies, do not hold your breath – we will be carrying this load for many more years.