Contraception exists as such since man exists, but more regulated and commercial methods began to be incorporated only in the twentieth century. There are various methods to avoid pregnancy, among the most used is the contraceptive pill, patches, vaginal rings and injections, among others.
The most effective method of contraception is sterilization, obtained by vasectomy in men or tubal ligation in women, but they are also very invasive methods that can be permanent. They follow closely the IUD and implantable methods that are also less accessible. Less effective methods include physical barriers such as condoms, diaphragms, among others.
Among the most common and efficient methods, the most commonly used currently involve women, particularly those that generate hormonal variations such as birth control pills. On the other hand, the limited participation of men in the effective (and non-invasive and permanent) methods of contraception was always a matter of much controversy. Now, a group of scientists could end these discussions.
vasagel a gel like a vasectomy
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Vasectomy is a surgical operation that consists of the ligation or section of the vas deferens, which is the passage through which the testicles expel the sperm along with the ejaculated semen. In theory, it is a reversible practice but it is not always the case.
But, a team of scientists created a gel that is capable of acting like a reversible vasectomy. Basically the gel prevents the passage of sperm through the vas deferens. It was tested on rabbits and monkeys, and proved to be 100% effective as a long-term and totally safe method of contraception. The product is known as Vasalgel ™ and the most particular of this product is that it showed a high rate of effectiveness, without being toxic and without altering the hormonal levels.
Using Vasalgel
The gel is injected into the vas deferens, filling part of the tube cavity and acting as a physical barrier for the sperm. Then, the gel can be dissolved and removed by ultrasound.
During the experiment, the researchers injected the gel into 12 rhesus monkeys with excellent health and reproductive capacity. They were monitored for six months, mating season, and reported that no pregnancy occurred. Under normal conditions, the expected rate of pregnancies in these animals is 80%, quite high.
For this reason, the gel could pass to the next stage of its production, the human trial. This will be the stage that will determine with greater certainty if this compound works as a contraceptive method in man.
However, science does not favor too much the search for a male contraception, since the side effects that every man can have, such as depression, acne, hotmonal imbalance, are too high and negative. Interestingly, these are the side effects of birth control pills and nobody seems to disprove them.
In this sense, Vasalgel could be what we are waiting for: a contraceptive method that does not generate hormonal effects in men and would be accepted by science.