Sixty-four years after the first female contraceptive pill was approved for use on the NHS in the UK, science appears to be finally close to creating a safe and effective version for men too.
Animal studies show that the experimental pill – currently known as YCT-529 – can effectively “turn off” sperm production. Meanwhile, a recent trial in 16 healthy men found that it caused no serious side effects.
The next step will be clinical trials with several hundred men to prove its effect in preventing unwanted pregnancies. If all goes according to plan, the world's first male contraceptive pill could be on the market within three years.
Why has it been so difficult to create a pill for men?
For decades, research has focused on methods that suppress male hormones (gonadotropins) that stimulate sperm production.
The problem? These methods often:
That's where YCT-529, which is generating great excitement among fertility scientists, comes in. It doesn't affect hormones.
How does the YCT-529 pill work?
It works by blocking the protein RAR-alpha (retinoic acid receptor alpha), a protein essential for sperm formation.
Retinoic acid (produced from vitamin A) normally binds to RAR-alpha to help divide and create new cells.
When this process is blocked in the testicles, sperm production drops to almost zero.
Results in animals
In mice, taking the pill every day for four weeks significantly reduced sperm count.
Effectiveness in preventing pregnancy: 99%.
Fertility returned 4–6 weeks after stopping the drug.
First human studies – hopes and open questions
The American company YourChoice Therapeutics tested the pill on 16 men, with doses ranging from 10 mg to 180 mg for one month.
The results, published in Communications Medicine, showed that:
“This is good news,” says Prof. Tet Yap, a urologist at King's College London.
Next step: testing with much larger groups.
However, there are still unresolved issues.
Time of effect
It takes 2 months or more for sperm production to completely drop.
It takes 2–3 months for sperm production to return after stopping the medication.
This means that during the initial use, couples should still use another form of contraception.
Security dilemmas
Prof. Yap asks several critical questions:
Does the pill only affect RAR-alpha in the testicles, or also in other organs where retinoic acid plays a key role?
Some volunteers during the trial developed respiratory infections – could the drug affect the immune system?
One reported cardiac arrhythmia – coincidence or side effect?
The study was too small to provide these answers.
Prof. Richard Anderson from the University of Edinburgh also says the results are "promising, but very early."
Alternatives being studied in parallel
1. A gel that is injected into the sperm ducts – “Adam”
The company developing it says the gel:
2. “Nestorone” hormonal gel
It is used by applying it to the arms every day. Contains:
Initial results show 86% effectiveness after 15 weeks of use.
The male pill is closer than ever, but not yet a reality.
YCT-529 offers a brand new approach – non-hormonal – that could revolutionize birth control.
If large studies prove its safety and effectiveness, the world could have its first oral contraceptive for men within the next three years. /GazetaExpress/
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