The research was carried out on teams of mice and scientists found that the drug eradicated the mice’s fertility in simply half-hour. It didn’t intrude with their mating behaviour in different methods, although – the males nonetheless mated with females however no pregnancies occurred in this time period. Sperm collected from the feminine mice remained debilitated.

In accordance with the research, contraceptive effectiveness was discovered to be at one hundred pc within the first two hours and 91 % within the first three hours. By 24 hours, it had returned to regular ranges. Researchers discovered no destructive well being impacts when the medicine have been constantly given to the mice for six weeks.

In the intervening time, additional research and medical trials are wanted – however it appears that evidently the male capsule might be a actuality within the close to future.

The following closest factor now we have to a male contraceptive capsule is a jab, which makes use of a method referred to as Risug (Reversible inhibition of sperm below steerage). It really works by injecting a gel into the sperm ducts (below anaesthetic), which creates a barrier that stops the sperm from with the ability to fertilise an egg as soon as it is handed by way of it. The injection lasts as much as 10 years – and may even forestall the transmission of HIV.

One research examined the jab on human check topics discovering “no vital hostile results” except for “short-term scrotal enlargement and gentle scrotal and inguinal area ache,” which have been resolved inside one month.

It isn’t the one challenge within the combine attempting to make a change. After receiving a $1.7 million (roughly £1.2 million) donation from the Invoice & Melinda Gates Basis in 2021, researchers on the College of Dundee are additionally aiming to develop the primary protected and efficient male contraceptive drug.

In accordance with Chris Barratt, Professor of Reproductive Drugs within the College of Dundee’s College of Drugs: “By the top of this two-year interval, we wish to have recognized a high-quality compound that we are able to progress to the primary phases of drug improvement.

“That might be a big step ahead for the sector and will probably be the important thing that unlocks a brand new period in male contraception.

Will males really take the male contraceptive?

That is the place issues get just a little difficult. It is all effectively and good pioneering a radical, new male contraceptive, but when males will not really take it… what is the level? A research printed by We-Vibe, a intercourse toy producer, and YLabs, a analysis establishment from the Harvard Innovation Lab, discovered that “78% of males worldwide would take contraception, however concern unintended effects.”

As a part of the research, greater than 3,500 folks and 7 intercourse consultants from completely different international locations have been interviewed. The authors concluded that, “nearly all of males wish to share duty, and the possibilities of this really occurring are sturdy, as a result of the elevated demand is boosting analysis.”

Nevertheless, the research additionally discovered that 41% of the lads interviewed stated “they’d not tolerate any unintended effects,” particularly in the event that they thought it might have an effect on their libido. Sadly, the flip aspect is that some girls reported a reluctance to let males take the duty as “there may be an excessive amount of concern that their associate won’t take the contraceptives recurrently.”

The research concluded: “What is required, then, is a big cultural change by which males demand and wish to use contraception and ladies are keen to provide away a few of the duty.”

For extra from Glamour UK’s Lucy Morgan, observe her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra.