TECH

What I Learned Using Male Contraceptive Gel

A couple from Edinburgh, UK, are among the first people in the world to use a male hormonal contraceptive.
James Owers, 29, and Diana Bardsley, 27, are participating in a study at the University of Edinburgh along with 449 other couples. They are using as contraceptive method only a male hormonal gel, over 12 months.
The hope is that couples in long-term relationships can use the gel as an alternative to the female birth control pill. According to study coordinator John Reynold-Wright, the gel is expected to have an efficiency between 97% and 99% - equivalent to that of the female birth control pill.
The gel, which should be applied to the body, is a mixture of progesterone and testosterone. Progesterone shuts off sperm production in the testicles. But it also ends up causing a drop in testosterone - offset by the addition of testosterone to the gel.
"Together, the two hormones help break down the part of the brain that orders the testicles to produce sperm." But since there is testosterone in the gel, there is no removal of any of the male traits, and it will not harm the libido. progesterone does not bring any kind of female effects, "explains Reynold-Wright.
In an interview with a BBC radio show, James explained: "I squeeze some of the gel from a package that looks like a toothpaste. It has the consistency of alcohol in gel."
Afterwards, "I rub the gel on my shoulder and chest area, dry it in three to four seconds, then I do it on the other shoulder." Then I dress and start my day normally.
James has been using the gel since February. But it's only been a week since the gel is your only form of contraception. "One of the side effects is an increase in sexual desire," he says. The negative side effects have been minimal.

"I did not feel any change in my mood, I was left with a few small spots on my back, but they are already coming out, and I gained about a pound - but it was probably because of the beer being very honest."

'Taking the burden out of women'
For James, the benefits of attending such a study go beyond medicine. "The most positive for me is that I am able to take part in a change in discourse about contraception. My friends and colleagues at work come to ask me about it, asking when it will be available and a number of other things."
"I'm feeling very optimistic that this male contraceptive - or even another male contraceptive - will be available soon."
However, this may still take a few years, according to Cheryl Fitzgerald, a consultant in reproductive medicine at the University of Manchester.
"This test is watching hundreds of men closely to ensure that the method is safe, effective, and well-tolerated (by the body), and after that, we're going to do a much bigger test. years, "Fitzgerald explained. bbc.com