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Review
. 2019 Sep 19;45(4):236-242.
doi: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2019-200395. Online ahead of print.

Male contraception: where are we going and where have we been?

Affiliations
Review

Male contraception: where are we going and where have we been?

John Joseph Reynolds-Wright et al. BMJ Sex Reprod Health. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Progress in developing new reversible male contraception has been slow. While the hormonal approach has been clearly shown to be capable of providing effective and reversible contraception, there remains no product available. Currently, trials of a self-administered gel combination of testosterone and the progestogen Nestorone® are under way, complementing the largely injectable methods previously investigated. Novel long-acting steroids with both androgenic and progestogenic activity are also in early clinical trials. The non-hormonal approach offers potential advantages, with potential sites of action on spermatogenesis, and sperm maturation in the epididymis or at the vas, but remains in preclinical testing. Surveys indicate the willingness of men, and their partners, to use a new male method, but they continue to lack that opportunity.

Keywords: hormonal contraception; male contraception; review.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis and its role in spermatogenesis. CCBY 4.0 Licence – John Reynolds-Wright. Image accessible via https://flic.kr/p/2hgvk5V6A. FSH, follicle stimulating hormone; GnRH, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone; LH, luteinising hormone.

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