Expanding Male Contraceptive Options: Study Investigating A New Contraceptive Gel

Men who wish to control their fertility currently have limited options. They have to rely on their female partner using contraceptives, use condoms, undergo vasectomy, or abstain. The male contraceptive study being discussed is testing a gel as a possible new method for male family planning. It is a transparent gel applied daily to the skin of the shoulders. It aims to decrease a man’s sperm production in a reversible way without reducing sexual drive. The study also looks at the men’s compliance and couple’s acceptance of this contraceptive method.

Expanding male contraceptive options could help make family planning more of a shared responsibility between women and men. We are taking a deep dive into the study and recruitment requirements with the Director, Women’s Health Clinical Research Center at University of Pennsylvania and Principal Investigator of the study at Penn Fertility Care Dr. Kurt T. Barnhart and Director of Operations, Elizabeth Steider. Joining us on the advocate panel is Dr. Logan Nickels, Research Director at Male Contraceptive Initiative and fertility coach and author Kristen Darcy.