Mini Review, Androl Gynecol Curr Res Vol: 13 Issue: 1

Emerging Male Contraceptive Methods: Expanding Reproductive Choices

Ashok Agarwal^*

Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, India

*Corresponding Author:

Ashok Agarwal
Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, India
E-mail: Ashokagarwal@yahoo.com

Received: 07-March-2025, Manuscript No. AGCR-25-168381, Editor assigned: 08-March-2025, PreQC No. AGCR-25-168381 (PQ), Reviewed: 15-March-2025, QC No. AGCR-25-168381, Revised: 22-March-2025, Manuscript No. AGCR-25-168381 (R), Published: 28-March-2025, DOI:10.4172/2325-9620.1000349

Citation: Ashok A (2025) Emerging Male Contraceptive Methods: Expanding Reproductive Choices. Androl Gynecol: Curr Res 13:1.

Copyright: © 2025 Ashok A. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Abstract

Introduction

Contraception has traditionally been a responsibility predominantly shouldered by women, with limited male options available-mainly condoms and vasectomy. However, rising awareness of gender equality, family planning, and shared reproductive responsibility has spurred interest in novel male contraceptive methods. These emerging technologies, including hormonal and non-hormonal approaches, aim to provide effective, reversible, and user-friendly options that could reshape family planning and menâ??s health [1]-3].

Hormonal Male Contraceptives

Hormonal contraception works by disrupting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis to suppress sperm production while maintaining testosterone levels to preserve secondary sexual characteristics.

Testosterone-Based Regimens: Testosterone injections or gels combined with progestinâ??s have shown promising results in suppressing spermatogenesis in clinical trials.

Challenges: Hormonal contraceptives must balance effective sperm suppression with minimal side effects such as mood changes, libido alterations, or cardiovascular risks.

Non-Hormonal Male Contraceptives

Non-hormonal methods aim to avoid systemic hormonal effects by targeting sperm production or function directly.

Targeting Spermatogenesis: Agents like adjudin disrupt sperm maturation in the testes, preventing fertilization without affecting hormone levels.

Sperm Motility Inhibitors: Chemicals that immobilize sperm, rendering them incapable of fertilizing an egg.

Physical Barriers and Devices: Reversible vas-occlusive devices block sperm transport and can be reversed surgically or chemically [4, 5].

Advantages of Male Contraceptives

Shared Responsibility: Offering men more contraceptive options promotes gender equity in reproductive health.

Improved Compliance: Men may be more willing to participate in family planning with convenient and reversible methods.

Reduction of Unintended Pregnancies: Increasing contraceptive choices could lower unintended pregnancy rates globally.

Barriers to Development and Adoption

Safety Concerns: Long-term safety data is required to allay fears about side effects or infertility risks.

Cultural and Social Acceptance: Societal norms and misconceptions may hinder adoption in some regions.

Regulatory Hurdles: Clinical trials and regulatory approvals are time-consuming and costly.

Conclusion

The advent of new male contraceptive methods heralds a potential paradigm shift in reproductive health. By providing men with safe, effective, and reversible options, these innovations promise to enhance reproductive autonomy and reduce the burden on women. Continued research, clinical trials, and public education are critical to overcoming barriers and ensuring these options become widely accessible.

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