Male Pill To Be Trialled By Sydney Men

We ask, science delivers. If you’re sick of being the one in charge of ongoing contraception – or the hormones just send you wacko – help may be at hand. Scientists have created a ‘male Pill’ and researchers are looking for willing participants to take part in a worldwide trial. Find out more details on how it works after the jump.

First things first -it’s not a pill, it’s a two-monthly hormone injection. The contraceptive tricks the brain into thinking it has already produced sperm, without affecting men’s sex drive (unlike so many female pills).

Earlier studies have found the injection works in 95 per cent of men who can become fully fertile again three months after they stop having the injections, and now researchers are trialling the contraceptive at 10 centres, including Melbourne and Sydney, as part of the worldwide trial.

Lead researcher Professor Rob McLachlan said the treatment kept men’s testosterone levels normal while the progestin fooled the brain into not producing hormones needed to stimulate sperm production.

“But sexual function should not change because your level of testosterone in the blood remains the same,” he said.

Four hundred couples are needed to join the 18-month trial – but careful if you don’t want a baby, as no other contraception can be used during the trial.

Couples interested in taking part in the Sydney study, to be conducted by the ANZAC Research Institute, at Concord Hospital, can phone 0767 7222 or email contraception @ anzac.edu.au.