Contraception - injections for men

Injectable contraception for men is not available at the moment. However, studies suggest the combination of the hormones testosterone and progesterone may provide a safe, effective and reversible male contraceptive.

Male hormonal contraceptive being trialled
Trials of different forms of male hormonal contraceptive continue in a number of countries. In Australia, researchers have developed a combination treatment to suppress sperm production in a reliable and reversible way. This involves a hormone implant of testosterone being placed under the skin every four months and a top-up injection of progesterone every three months.

The method was tested on 55 men over a 12-month period, and no pregnancies occurred. All participants retained their normal energy and libido (sex drive) levels. More testing and development needs to be done before the method becomes available.

In another study conducted in Australia, 118 men were surveyed about what they thought of male hormonal contraception. Around three-quarters (75.4%) indicated that they would ‘maybe’, ‘probably’ or ‘definitely’ try it, while around one-quarter (24.6%) said they would ‘probably not’ or ‘definitely not’ try it.

Implications for men and women
Expanding our choices for contraception is a positive step, particularly for people who are dissatisfied with the current methods. However, all contraception choices have positive and negative implications. We need to be aware of the possible effects of all contraceptives, including any potential male contraceptive.

Advantages
A male contraceptive would:

• Offer men another method of contraception that they could control themselves
• Relieve women of bearing the sole responsibility for physical and psychological issues surrounding contraception such as the financial costs and the need to see health professionals regularly for access to contraception
• Require regular visits to health professionals to access contraception, which may be a positive way of engaging men in their general health and wellbeing
• Be reversible and may be a welcome option for people concerned about permanent methods such as vasectomy in men and tubal ligation in women.

• Offer no protection against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs)
• Take a few months before they work and a similar amount of time to wear off
• Are still in the trial phase so their effectiveness and the type and frequency of side effects are yet to be determined. Long-term effects will not be known until many years of follow-up and research have been completed.
• The right and responsibility to regulate fertility is a complex issue. Some women may enjoy being relieved of contraceptive responsibility. Other women may be apprehensive to trust a man to use a method they cannot ‘see’ in use.

• Your doctor
• Family Planning Victoria Tel. 1800 013 952 or (03) 9257 0100 www.fpv.org.au

• Male contraception is not available yet but is being researched.
• When choosing a contraceptive method, be aware of all its advantages and disadvantages.

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