Male Contraceptive Pills Show Promise in New Clinical Trials

A new study presented at the Endocrine Society annual conference in Atlanta, GA, reports that two oral male contraceptive candidates were effective in suppressing hormones needed for sperm production and received a favorable response from most participants in the studies. 

The 2 drugs have properties that resemble androgens and are also similar to a lesser extent to progesterone, the compounds are dimethandrolone undecanoate (DMAU) or 11 beta-methyl-19-nortestosterone-17 beta-dodecylcarbonate (MNTDC).

During previous animal studies, both drugs showed promise and during a phase 1 randomized clinical trial, they were also safe and well-tolerated. 

The medications have the benefit of being slowly broken down into their active form over 24 hours, and a single dose can be used effectively. 

Low Testosterone Levels Without Deficiency Symptoms

For the study, participants received either 2 (200 mg) or 4 (400 mg) pills of DMAU or 11-beta-MNTDC daily for 28 days. Serum testosterone levels were monitored every 24 hours. 

The team found that both doses resulted in lower serum testosterone levels when compared to placebo at 7 days. The results were sustained for the whole 28 days of the study. 

An important thing is that none of the participants complained of symptoms of testosterone deficiency. Larger clinical trials have to be performed in order to know the long-term effects of both medications, but the results seem promising.

The team is already in plans to investigate both compounds in phase 2 clinical trials. 

---

Source:

Deep Shukla. (2022, Jun 15). 2 male contraceptive pills show promise in early studies. Medical News Today. Retrieved from: 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/2-male-contraceptive-pills-show-promise-in-early-studies

Image from: 

Photo by danilo.alvesd on Unsplash