A Pill for Men, Perhaps

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted May 4, 2009 5:23 PM CDT

(Newser) – Testosterone injections can render men temporarily infertile and function as a male contraceptive, Chinese scientists say. Their tests on 1,045 healthy, fertile men were 99% successful and left only two subjects less fertile than they were before the trial. “Our study shows a male hormonal contraceptive regimen may be a potential, novel and workable alternative,” one researcher told the Telegraph.

But one Western expert expressed doubts about the study: “This new formulation appears to be a success,” she said. “However, hormonal male contraceptives seem to work differently in Chinese and Caucasian men.” The search for a male pill has been slow, partly because Big Pharma lacks interest and because of a belief that women won't trust men to play it safe.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

An attempt at contraception, proven faulty. (Shutter Stock)

An animal contraceptive. (AP Photo)

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Our study shows a male hormonal contraceptive regimen may be a potential, novel and workable alternative. - Dr Yi-Qun Gu, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 5 comments

WiteOut

May 6, 2009 6:29 AM CDT

The more methods of protection the better, rubbers, pills, damns, shots, bring 'em on! Let's just make sure they are tested to not give us webbed feet or 4th nipples. That would be strange!

myvoice

May 5, 2009 2:00 AM CDT

Come on Demi.... To think that we Americans cant screw up... do you not remember the peanuts, the tainted beef, the recall of countless number of drugs etc in the good 'ol USA ? China is the largest country in the world and you don't think their scientist are qualified? Sounds like bigotry to me!

Derni

May 5, 2009 1:26 AM CDT

Sorry-I'm suspect of any theory-product-anythinh from China-they've given us baby Formula that is tanited-dry wall that is deadly-lead in toys-fish that will make us sick-and on and on-I guess we need to buy American or ??

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China • contraception • testosterone • birth control • contraceptive • medical study • male pill

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