Beyond Condoms and Vasectomy, Two New Male Contraceptives May Change Birth Control: Report

Men may soon have more choices for preventing pregnancy, with two experimental contraceptive methods being developed by NEXT Life Sciences. The options, an on-demand pill and a reversible implant, aim to offer alternatives to condoms and vasectomy.

PausePill: A Pill That Works On Demand

The first option, called PausePill, is a non-hormonal oral contraceptive designed to provide protection for around 24 hours. It could potentially be taken before sex or used daily for continuous contraception.

Unlike hormonal methods that aim to reduce sperm production, PausePill is designed to temporarily stop sperm from being released during ejaculation. It works by interfering with the signal that tells the vas deferens, the tubes carrying sperm, to release sperm.

According to the report, men taking the pill would still be expected to have an erection, orgasm, and sexual pleasure because sperm production itself is not switched off.

Early results are promising but limited. In a small Phase 2 US trial involving 10 men, the drug prevented sperm release in all participants who took it within two hours. Participants did not report a meaningful difference in sexual function or pleasure compared with those receiving a placebo, and no major adverse events were reported.

However, the study was very small. Larger clinical trials are needed to establish the pill's safety and effectiveness, particularly with repeated use. The company plans a larger trial later this year.

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Plan A: Reversible Alternative To Vasectomy

The second method, called Plan A, is a long-acting contraceptive implant that uses a hydrogel called Vasalgel.

The gel is placed inside the vas deferens, creating a barrier that prevents sperm from passing into the ejaculate. Unlike a traditional vasectomy, which cuts or seals the sperm-carrying tubes, the implant is intended to be reversible.

The company says the procedure can be carried out in a doctor's office using a small puncture rather than a surgical incision. It is designed to provide contraception for several years, with a separate procedure intended to remove or dissolve the gel when fertility is desired again.

Early human research involved 16 men. According to the report, all participants reached azoospermia, meaning no measurable sperm was found in their semen, within 14 days. No serious adverse events were reported in that early study.

However, the method is still being studied, including whether fertility can be reliably restored after the implant is reversed. Men would also need to use another contraceptive method until testing confirms that sperm is no longer present in the semen.

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Why New Male Contraceptives Matter

At present, male-directed contraception available outside research mainly consists of condoms and vasectomy. The World Health Organisation is also working on guidance for developing new male contraceptive methods, including approaches that block sperm transport or interfere with sperm production or function.

The new methods are therefore part of a wider effort to expand contraceptive choices and allow greater shared responsibility for pregnancy prevention.

Final Word

While these newer options are helpful and convenient, neither PausePill nor Plan A is currently an established, widely available contraceptive. Both require further clinical testing and regulatory approval before they can become routine options.