The “Future of Male Contraception” conference in Seattle last month garnered extensive newspaper and radio coverage, and a sense of optimism filled the air. About 120 laboratory and clinical investigators came together to share their most recent findings.
Here are quick summaries of noteworthy results:
- Hormonal methods continue to make progress. One study tested Depo-Provera shots plus testosterone gel, two products already on the market. Researchers presented clinical trial results and several leads for a form of testosterone that would work as a pill. Fertility return for hormonal methods is 100%, at least after up to 1 ½ years of use.
- CatSper and Adjudin researchers described the challenges they face and the directions they’re now taking their research.
- Dr. Debra Wolgemuth of Columbia University presented findings on the use of a vitamin A receptor blocker as a male contraceptive. After one week of treatment with low doses, mice were infertile. Full fertility returned within 4 months. We look forward to hearing more about this method in the future; the next step is to try various doses and study reversibility after long-term treatment.
- Dr. Sheri Hild presented a new drug known as l-CDB-4022, another drug that can be taken as a pill. This one made monkeys infertile, with full recovery by week 16. We’ll keep you up to date on this research as it progresses.
For a more detailed summary of conference news, check out the archived researcher version of this newsletter. The abstracts from the presentations and poster presentations are also available on the Future of Male Contraception website.
Dr. Chris Boelter of Shepherd Medical Company presented the much-anticipated preliminary 3-month and 6-month sperm count numbers for the Intra Vas Device. Dr. Boelter did a good job of making clear that in this study, it took a while for sperm counts to drop near zero. So far, the IVD’s numbers are similar to numbers for a standard vasectomy: after 6 months, 92% of the men had no sperm or almost no sperm. The IVD can’t compete yet with vasectomies done by top doctors using the latest technique, which is called fascial interposition. However, the results are pretty good for a first try! Based on these results, the IVD developers will seek funding for studies in Canada and further studies in the US.
Return to the top
RISUG researchers have used atomic force microscopy, an extremely high-resolution imaging technology, to take a look at how RISUG works. As scientists gain access to these incredible new technologies, we are beginning to be able to explain contraceptives that previously seemed mysterious. The sperms’ outer layer comes apart and their insides come out when they go by RISUG: “Complete disintegration of the plasma membrane with subsequent rupture and dispersion of the acrosomal contents is observed on RISUG treatment.” The full publication is available in the Journal of Microscopy. If you have access to this journal, you can see the color pictures as well, which are very cool.
Return to the top
When you have a men’s reproductive health question, where do you turn? Do you look it up online, only to be bombarded with sales pitches and junk info? Now there’s a new one-stop shop for noncommercial info: the government of Australia is sponsoring AndrologyAustralia.org. Downloadable fact sheets are available, as well as summaries to take along to your doctor. A good site to bookmark for future reference!
Return to the top
Announcements from the “Future of Male Contraception” conference garnered press coverage around the world. Here are some highlights:
AUDIO: An engaging clip on Seattle's major news-talk radio station gets the man-on-the-street's reaction to the idea of using a new method and packs in commentary from both MCIP and Dr. Bill Bremner of the University of Washington. This 2-minute feature made the 6:00 news. Available as a podcast or for listening online!
Male Contraception
710 KIRO, 28 September
Seattle's largest daily paper featured the "Future of Male Contraception" conference in a well-researched and largely accurate article. Focuses on attitudes and hormonal approaches, but "not all researchers are putting their eggs in the hormone basket." Ends with brief mentions of the IVD (and reversibility questions), the RISUG clinical trial, and heat treatments.
Men on "the pill"? Doctors say it's no dream
Seattle Times, 27 September
Seattle's other major daily paper also featured the conference, with a focus on the University of Washington's role. "For the past two decades, researchers have tried to provide men with more choices in contraception. Women have the pill, intrauterine devices, injections, birth control patches, female condoms and the sponge. Men have basically two choices: condom or vasectomy. Although both methods work pretty well, they each have drawbacks. Many researchers say men should have more options and more of a shared responsibility..."
Breakthrough in male birth control remains elusive -- But it's only a matter of time, researchers say
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 27 September
The University of Washington's student paper gets in on the act with a front page story.
Male contraceptives coming down the pipeline
The UW Daily, September 28
LiveScience covers the highlights from the first day of the conference, working from MCIP's press release; the story then gets picked up by msnbc.com (with a few inaccuracies introduced along the way). Covers the IVD, a testosterone-like drug, and a new lead that worked in monkeys.
Birth control pills for guys could be reality soon
MSNBC, 28 September
More coverage of the first day of the conference. "For decades, pundits have predicted new contraceptives for men within the next 5 to 10 years. Are we really getting any closer? Judging from work presented today at the second 'Future of Male Contraception' conference, the answer may finally be yes."
Contraception: progress brings hope for new methods for men
PHYSORG.com, 28 September
A nicely-done story based on news from the second day of the conference. Adds in statistics about unwanted pregnancies and the need in both the U.S. and abroad. Covers the new lead from Columbia University, the study of testosterone gel plus Depo-Provera from the University of Washington, and the IVD Phase I trial results. One error: it implies fertility return after IVD reversal is already known.
Conference Reveals Promising Options for Male Contraception
Associated Content, 29 September
Health Canada gives approval for the first preliminary Canadian trials of the Intra Vas Device, after the preliminary results of the U.S. Phase I clinical trial prove acceptable. This article also shows confusion on the reversibility issue.
Studies begin into reversible male contraceptive
CTV.ca, 28 September
Conference coverage reaches Ms. Magazine’s online edition. It was the overwhelming response to a short 1992 Ms. Magazine article on the subject—several hundred handwritten letters—that inspired the original expansion of the Male Contraception Information Project, making this article something of a homecoming for MCIP.
More Birth Control Options for Men on the Way
Ms. Magazine, 5 October
Return to the top
Editors
Elaine Lissner, Director of the Male Contraception Information Project (MCIP)
Email: info@NewMaleContraception.org
MCIP is entirely nonprofit and works in three areas: raising public awareness of promising nonhormonal male contraceptives, advocating increased and expedited government research, and serving as a resource for journalists who wish to write about the subject.
Kirsten Thompson, Director of the Male Contraception Coalition (MCC)
Email: info@MaleContraceptives.org
The Coalition’s objectives are to speed the development of new male contraceptives through increased legislative and institutional support, to raise funds for applied male contraception research and development, and to educate the public about the work of the research community.
