The Family Planning Male Training Center annual meeting is happening next week in San Diego. The conference covers all aspects of men as reproductive health service clients, from outreach to clinical considerations. If you're not able to attend the conference, you'll be able to watch two of the sessions as live webcasts – no registration necessary!
To join a session, follow the links above at the indicated time. Please note that the listed times are Pacific Standard Time. You can also visit the Family Planning Male Training Center's main conference website, and click "Live WebConference" link. The webcasts will only be available during the live session, not afterwards.
With emerging male contraceptives being more regularly covered in the press, more couples have the opportunity to voice their opinions of them in various online fora. Check out some of the intelligent comments on two recent blogs covering male contraceptives:
Contraception and Sacrifice
The American Prospect, 15 April
Should men care that male birth control options are languishing?
US News & World Report, 28 March
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Coverage of male contraception research has become so pervasive that we will only list the highlights! This month saw the following stories in addition to continued coverage of the recent hormonal male contraception meta-analysis:
US News & World Report covers hormonal research, testicular warming (simple wet heat), the IVD, and vitamin A receptor blocker research. Dr. Ronald Swerdloff of UCLA points out the difficulties in getting pharmaceutical industry support for a drug meant to be used in large numbers of healthy individuals, and MCIP's director comments on the need for more a more focused rather than scattershot effort.
Male Contraception: Progress Slow but Steady
US News & World Report, 12 April
Dr. Kirsten Vogelsong of the World Health Organization is interviewed by World Radio Switzerland about the recent hormonal contraception news. "“I do feel like there is hope for having a male hormonal contraceptive available — something that would be safe, effective and acceptable to men and their partners.” The interview reports that WHO is planning clinical trials with hormonal contraception in seven countries, with 400 couples to test the hormones for a year.
Study: Hormonal birth control for men could be effective as vasectomy
World Radio Switzerland, 28 March
Dr. Joseph Hall's work on blocking sperms' ability to recognize an egg is covered in the local press. He had a 92% success rate in rats and is searching for a way to increase that. Eighteen years have gone into the research so far, and he estimates 2-3 more years before testing in larger animals.
Scientists work to perfect male birth control pill
WVEC.com, 26 March
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MCC Director Kirsten Thompson will be presenting a poster of recent findings on men's interest in emerging male contraceptives at the September ARHP conference. If you plan to attend, come say hello!
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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.
