Thursday briefing: The long, long wait for a male contraceptive pill may soon be over
In today’s newsletter: Reversible male hormonal contraception could reach the market within five to 10 years. But why has this development been so slow? Good morning. Since the first vasectomy was performed in the 1890s (imagine being that volunteer), the male contraceptive armoury has barely advanced. The last reversible method was added to this repertoire centuries ago: while rubber condoms hit…
Good morning. For decades, the realm of male contraception has remained limited. The vasectomy, first performed in the 1890s, has been the lone reversible option. Condoms, first mass-produced in the 1850s from animal bladders, have persisted as the only non-surgical method. Ancient Egyptian documents describe rudimentary condoms, hinting at humanity's long pursuit of male birth control.
However, this landscape may undergo a transformation. Recently, the World Health Organization announced plans to make reversible male contraceptives available within the next five to ten years. This breakthrough marks a significant leap forward in the field, potentially liberating men from the constraints of existing options.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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