Scientists Developing Male Birth Control Pill to Take 30 Minutes Before Sex
Summary
Scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine are testing a new male birth control pill that works by temporarily blocking a key enzyme in sperm, preventing them from moving to fertilize an egg. The pill is designed to be taken 30 minutes before sex and provide about six to eight hours of protection, after which fertility returns to normal.Key Facts
- The pill targets an enzyme called soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC), which sperm need to swim and mature after ejaculation.
- Inhibiting this enzyme temporarily stops sperm from traveling inside a woman’s reproductive tract, preventing fertilization.
- The pill is designed for short-term use, with contraception lasting six to eight hours after a single dose.
- The research team received a multimillion dollar grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) to test the pill’s safety in humans.
- This is the third grant Dr. Jochen Buck and Dr. Lonny Levin have received since 2020 for developing this male contraceptive.
- Currently, male contraception options are limited to condoms and vasectomies.
- Around 40 percent of pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned, partly due to the side effects and challenges women face with hormonal birth control methods.
- The new pill aims to provide men with an option that does not involve continuous hormone use but shares responsibility for birth control.
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