Why Isn't there a Birth Control Pill for Males?

Condoms and vasectomies remain pretty much the extent of birth control options for people who produce sperm, and both have problems. So why is almost all hormonal birth control aimed at those with ovaries? There have been some successes targeting the biological feedback process for hormones that regulate new sperm production, but progress is slow.

Related HCT episodes:

Be sure to check out our podcast!

Other Healthcare Triage Links:

Credits:
Aaron Carroll -- Writer
Meredith Danko – Social Media
Tiffany Doherty -- Writer and Script Editor
John Green -- Executive Producer
Stan Muller -- Director, Producer
Mark Olsen – Art Director, Producer

[SpeakShibboleth]

I'd like some options. You'd still need condoms for disease prevention in relationships that aren't long term and monogamous but it would be nice to have a second layer of contraceptive protection.

[Ravenlock]

As someone getting a vasectomy next month, I remain disappointed and angry that no other options exist, even for us to evaluate the risk and make our own decisions on. I started donating to Vaselgel research a decade ago hoping to eventually be able to use it myself, but there's still not even a projected date that it might be approved for market.

[Danyel]

Although it wasn't mentioned, the side effects went beyond things like general discomfort or acne; they also involved suicide ideation and a significant increase in aggressiveness! Those were the reasons many trials had to be halted.

[_maxgray]

The justifiable criticism of the 1950s Puerto Rico pill trial is focused on the lack of informed consent, insufficient toxicity testing, and failure to investigate deaths among participants. A number of hormonal and non-hormonal birth control options for women have been approved since then, under modern standards, that have side effects equal to or worse than those that stopped the male trials. Unless the side effects pose significant dangers to men, they should be given the chance to weigh their personal side effects against the benefits of new contraceptive options.

[PaulTheadra]

Just got a vasectomy a few weeks ago, my partner is going through menopause and taking BHRT, but going through complications with treatment, so we decided it would be safer. I'm a nurse since the 2000s, I really thought men would've had a birth control option by now.

[velescope]

I totally had my eyebrows raised before you said that lol 😂

[annapoteet]

Can you do an episode on the recent research saying that colonoscopies aren’t as effective as previously believed?

[kenofken]

There are drugs which will dramatically lower sperm count over time. Testosterone replacement, depending on the dose and duration will often do this, although it is not always predictable. So will the closely related anabolic steroids.

[discombubulate]

got a vasectomy back in '98, and thank christ i did. had a partner i was with for almost 4 years who "said" she was on the pill and she was in the beginning but stopped that a year months before we parted ways because she wanted to have a baby and never told me. i found this out after reading some txts with one of her friends on her phone. she had been off the pill for 8 months when i told her about my little operation. long story short i had to find a new place to live but i did so with a smile on my face.
moral: don't trust women, when this stuff is made available USE IT!

[Croz]

One thing I heard about hormonal side effects for male birth control is that they caused depression and suicidal ideation in the most extreme cases, and since men have a higher rate of suicide than women it's a bigger risk factor. I don't know how true it is, discussion of the failure of male hormonal birth control is always a little politically charged, so you don't always know who to trust.

Personally I think ADAM is the way to go, it's like a male version of an IUD, except better and probably safer since it's non hormonal.

[CapsAdmin]

I remember a side effect from taking Olanzapine which was no ejaculation during an orgasm. When I stopped taking the drug it went back to normal in a week or so.

[kyokoyumi]

0:55 Why is it that the standards have increased but the medications available today still exist? Is there no retroactive testing and recall? If so, why not?? What makes it difficult to get these medications that no longer comply with the standards off of shelves? Especially when we know already that they don't comply with the current standard.
I'm going to have to check this out since that makes no sense to me.

[Chadmlad]

Is there really no contraception options anywhere in the world? I'm sure research into this can be made in countries with less restrictions on testing trials.

[friedrice]

Could you even get men to take it, though? I’m sure some men would take the opportunity, but given how many men feel emasculated by vasectomies (even though they are safer and more comfortable than expecting a wife to carry on with birth control till menopause), I suspect women will still take on much of the burden of birth control. Let’s be honest, would this actually radically shift our culture, or would it be just another thing we code as “not manly”?

[patharrison]

I notice that you didnt metion RISUG, and I only see it mentioned in one comment. Have we given up on this treatment?

[gustiable]

Damn i was just thinking when this would be available i hope this becomes available soon 🙏🙏

[thomaswalsh]

This video seems devastatingly short on details

It’s barely the thinnest of scratches on the surface imo. For example, leaving out that leading attempts at pills caused suicidal ideation and increased aggression, understated as “mood swings” unless you deep dive into the reports on the drugs.

[OurCognitiveSurplus]

What does the “13% condom failure rate” mean? I’ve been using condoms on and off for decades at not had an issue. 13% seems super high - there must be some catch?

[soilwadtarken]

just dont have sex till u ready to have kids bruh

[PHASES_OFFICIAL]

Birth control is terrible. Men need to realize why this conversation exists. It's brutal for women. IED's, hormonal issues, blood clots ... Lack of abortion. Don't get me started.