Seattle, Washington, (TDN)
- Scientific investigators at the University of Washington Medical Centre have successfully tested a contraceptive pill for men. At the end of the first trial they said that the pill is safe and effective. 83 men ages 18 – 50 years old were the subject of the study.
Similar to the female birth control pill, the new pill called dimethandrolone undecanoate or DMAU contains a combination of hormones – an androgen, like testosterone, and progestin.
It acts by bringing down the sperm count in men so that they cannot get their partner pregnant. In its current form the pill like the female contraceptive can be taken once daily.
Based on the study it was determined that the pill worked only if taken with food. "Despite having low levels of circulating testosterone, very few subjects reported symptoms consistent with testosterone deficiency or excess," said Professor Stephanie Page, senior investigator on the study.
"These promising results are unprecedented in the development of a prototype male pill," Page added.
Importantly, all those participating in the study passed their safety tests, including markers of liver and kidney function. "DMAU is a major step forward in the development of a once-daily 'male pill'," said Professor Page.
Although contraceptive pills for females have been available for almost 70 years this is the first time such a contraceptive for men has been successfully used, other than the condom.
