Male contraception

The new method is as effective as the vasectomy and has little to no side-effects.

At Stellenbosch University, Dr Amir Zarrabi a urologist, said that if the contraceptive is successful then it could change the world of contraception.

 

It will offer a new level of flexibility to couples using contraception. It will be safe and reliable with no hormonal or side effects that is then easily reversed if they make the decision to have a baby.

 

It is called Vasalgel, and is a form of no-scalpel vasectomy,  and is currently undergoing tests with the American Parsemus Foundation. It blocks the flow of sperm from the testicles to the penis just like a vasectomy does. However, unlike a vasectomy, which severs the sperm carrying tube, they inject a gel into the tube which creates a barrier blocking the sperm's passage, but still allowing access for other fluids to pass.

 

Dr Zarrabi specialises in microsurgery and male fertility at the university in the Urology Department and says that unlike the vasectomy, the procedure doe not involve surgery nor does it carry the same risks.

 

The vasectomy is a relatively small procedure, but it does have some risks, these include infection or bleeding. It also carries the risk of pain post-vasectomy due to a build up of pressure in the testicles afterwards. Vasalgel will be available for short or long-term use.

If a couple decides to try for a baby, the gel can be flushed out of the sperm duct with a sodium bicarbonate solution injection.

 

It has been tested on humans but its reversal has not, only on animals, which is why it is still undergoing tests, but the results in animals were positive showing a rapid restoration of the sperm flow after flushing.

 

The specialist warned that although the method prevents the flow of sperm, as it doesn't prevent the flow of other liquids it cannot be considered a barrier method of contraception as it does not protect agains the transmission of STIs and STDs.

 

In the past, attempts to create a male contraceptive have focussed on hormone manipulation like with the oral contraceptive pill for women. Testosterone, the male sex hormone, is linked to the production of sperm. If we decrease the levels of testosterone in the testicles, Zarrabi said, we can prevent the production of sperm.

 

Although it might not make much sense, in order to decrease these levels, we have to increase the levels of testosterone in the blood. This however in many studies has proven to cause a variety of undesirable side-effects. By adding other hormones, scientists have tried to alter the method, but all attempts have proven to have too many side-effects, and to not be effective enough.

 

Keep your eyes peeled for Vasalgel on the market, it will soon take away much of the contraceptive responsabilities away from women giving men the option to take charge of the matter.