An ointment on the back, new male contraceptive?



[ad_1]

Applying an ointment on the shoulders and back is nowadays the hope of a male contraceptive.

It's a developed gel that will begin to be evaluated live in the United States, developed by the Population Council and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) in the United States.

"Many women can not use hormonal contraceptives, and male methods are limited to vasectomy and condoms," said researcher Diana Blithe. "A safe, effective and reversible male method would meet an important public health need."

The gel formulation, NES / T, includes the progestin acetate compound of segesterone, Nestorena in the trade name, in combination with testosterone. It is applied on the back and shoulders and absorbed by the skin. The progestogen blocks the natural production of testosterone in the testes, reducing sperm production to low or no levels. The replacement of testosterone maintains the badual interest and other functions that depend on adequate blood levels of the hormone.

Scientists hope to enroll about 420 couples in the study. Men will use the gel every day for 12 weeks to determine their tolerance to the formulation and ensure they do not present unacceptable side effects. If sperm levels are not reduced, they will continue with the gel for 16 weeks. Once these levels are sufficiently reduced for contraception, they enter the efficacy phase, which will evaluate the ability of the formulation to avoid pregnancy. This phase will last 52 weeks and the couple will depend on the application of the gel by the man as the only method of contraception.

They will stay in the study for observation for another 24 weeks after stopping the use of the gel.

[ad_2]
Source link