The study modeled the impact of male birth control in the United States and other countries.

Durham, NC -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/18/2017 -- A collaborative team composed of leading researchers across world-renowned institutions published an article analyzing the impact of new reversible male contraceptives. The paper, which is featured in the academic journal Contraception, used conservative modeling to show that new male contraceptives would avert unintended pregnancies by more than a hundred thousand per year in the United States and Nigeria, and by more than ten thousand per year in South Africa.

That breaks down as an overall decrease in the unintended pregnancy rate by 3.5% in the United States, 3.2% in South Africa, and 30.4% in Nigeria. The relatively high result for Nigeria is due to its low baseline of contraceptive use. Using previous results that say men would be willing to use a new contraceptive, the authors modeled the impact of two types of male contraceptives currently in development: (1) reversible vasectomy devices; and (2) daily pills. To avoid overestimating the potential impact, the analysis assumed that, among men who said they would use a new male contraceptive, only 10% of them would actually do so.

The authors are from various research and public health organizations and include the Guttmacher Institute, a world leader in contraceptive research; Princeton University; and Male Contraception Initiative, a pioneer in the realm of male birth control. Future efforts from the group may focus on the potential impact of introducing male contraceptives in other countries.

Despite the clear advantages of introducing more male birth control methods, male contraception is an underfunded and underrepresented research field. Many researchers rely on the support of nonprofits like Male Contraception Initiative to conduct research that would result in a male contraceptive.

One of the authors, Dr. David Sokal, is the chair of the Male Contraception Initiative. He said, "We hope that other funding agencies, philanthropists, venture funds and drug companies will join us in funding development of new male methods. There are a number of promising leads for novel male contraceptives that deserve support." Other authors include Prof. James Trussel of Princeton, who said, "Male contraceptives have endured a painfully long innovation drought. Male Contraception Initiative has the ability to end this streak, which is why it's important to support their work. Future generations deserve stronger gender equity and tighter control over when they begin parenthood."

The article has been accepted for open access publication. It is now available online: http://www.contraceptionjournal.org/article/S0010-78241730430-4/pdf.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/researchers-say-more-male-birth-control-options-would-drastically-lower-unintended-pregnancy-rates-866745.htm

Durham, NC -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/15/2014 -- The time for male contraceptives is now. There's no better time for Male Contraception Initiative to open its doors. Vasectomies came into the picture around the end of the 19th century. The latex condom was invented in 1920. Does that sound dated? It should, because it is.

Recently, the Parsemus Foundation announced that Vasalgel, a promising reversible male contraceptive, could hit the market as early as 2017 assuming proper funding. Just three years! That's cause for excitement.

And there's more reason to be excited. There are other methods ready to go forward just as soon as they have funding. And like Vasalgel, these methods are both reversible and nonhormonal.

Gendarussa is a shrub-derived herb being studied by researchers in Indonesia. It works in pill form and has already been shown to be highly effective in human trials.

The "clean sheets pill" is being developed by researchers in London. This method works within mere hours of taking. By relaxing the muscles in the body's sperm-carrying tubes, it prevents seminal ejaculation while still preserving all the experience of orgasm. This method, by suppressing fluid transport, also holds the potential to reduce sexually transmitted infections.

Eppin is a drug being studied in the U.S. that works by attacking sperm's ability to swim. Everything else works the same—except the sperm swimming part.

JQ1, also developed in the U.S., was discovered accidentally. Cancer researchers noticed that their drug turned off the gene responsible for sperm production. Naturally, they were excited when they saw they could also turn it back on.

Aaron Hamlin, the executive director, exclaimed, "Half of all pregnancies are unintended. And that's despite the fact that nine in ten women at risk for unintended pregnancy are actually using a contraceptive! This news worries men, too. And that's why half of U.S. men say they want a new contraceptive themselves." He emphasized, "There's no question that the demand is there. Men are ready now. We can hear them."

The organization is asking the public to openly state their demands. Its website allows users to say why we need new male contraceptives now. Enthusiasts can also engage through the organization's social media.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/male-contraception/release-545046.htm