For decades, the issue of birth control has been one that women are normally dealt the burden of. Most birth control methods revolve around female use, such as intrauterine devices (IUDs), the pill, the patch, the shot and other methods. For men, the only non-permanent contraceptive method is the condom. This, however, is soon to change. A new birth control pill marketed for use by men may be hitting store shelves soon.
The key to male birth control
Recent studies indicate that the key to a male contraceptive pill could lie in an Indonesian shrub, native to the island of Papau. The effects of this shrub on male fertility are well known to the local tribesmen, who have long used the leaves of the shrub to avoid pregnancy.
The shrub isn’t just local folklore, however. The shrub, more commonly known as Gandarusa, is a typical looking shrub, however, the active ingredient within the shrub has been shown as an effective contraceptive for men. The active ingredient in the shrub is believed to act as a contraceptive by weakening the enzymes in the sperm that are normally responsible for penetrating the outer layer of a woman’s egg. When these enzymes are weakened or absent, the sperm is unable to fuse with the egg and therefore, unable to create a pregnancy.
Temporary Contraceptive
One of the most attractive features of the male birth control pill, is that the effects of the pill are entirely reversible. A man will not be fertile while under the influence of the medication, however, upon discontinuing the medication, fertility will return to normal within a relatively short period of time.
Male birth control could hit the shelves soon
Currently, the male birth control pill is undergoing more testing to determine how effective the pill for men really is. The outcome is expected to be favorable. Once these tests are concluded, the male birth control pill is likely to hit the shelves of pharmacies all around the world.