Is There a Male Birth Control Pill?
Q. Is it true that there is a male birth control pill?
A. No. There is no male birth control approved for use, and it’s unlikely one will be developed. The best options for men are wearing a condom, having a vasectomy, or abstinence.
Interestingly, testosterone—the hormone that gives men sex drive and erections—has contraceptive side effects. When it’s taken as a hormone supplement the testicles get the message that there’s already enough testosterone in the bloodstream, and sperm production is halted. Long-term testosterone therapy will lead to zero sperm count. (This is why steroids make men sterile.)
Testosterone supplements, which come as a gel or by injection, are FDA-approved only for hormone treatment—not for contraception. Also note that the testosterone pills available outside the U.S. can damage the liver and should not be used.
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Dr. Marc Goldstein
Professor of Reproductive Medicine and Urology
Surgeon in chief, Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery
New York Weill Cornell Medical Center
Rich Maloof lives in Brooklyn, New York. He specializes in health topics, music and children’s literature. He has written for CNN, Yahoo!, Billboard and the “For Dummies” book series.
MSN Health & Fitness does not provide medical or any other health care advice, diagnosis or treatment.
