First Reversible Male Birth Control Method May Soon Be Here

Some information found on Euekalert.org and released at a National Institute of Health Conference may change a man's role in the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and birth control as we know it. The information was released at the 2nd "Conference of Male Contraception" during the National Institute of Health Conference that wa sheld in Seattle, Washington. In a study done by The Shepard Medical Company, results were announced as the first U.S. study using a method of male contraception known using the "Intra Vas Device".

Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance or also known as (RISUG) can provide effective pregnancy prevention in males for up to 10 years or more. The method is similar to a vasectomy but is reversible. Researchers achieve success by injecting a polymer or gel, into the vas deferens which then partially plugs the passageway that permits the escape of sperm during ejaculation, thus preventing an unwanted pregnancy. The polymer or gel is also effective as a spermacide, which kills any sperm that comes near or has contact with the substance. When and if a man wishes to restore his fertility after months or even years the procedure is reversed by flushing the polymer out of the vas using another injection.

The cutting breakthrough procedure could be invaluable to younger men who wish to postpone becoming a father until they are finished with school or advancing in their carreer. In older men, the procedure will allow a man to avoid having more children but will give him the freedom to change his mind in the event of a new marriage or the desire to obtain a new pregnancy in the event of the death of a previous child.

RISUG consists of mixing a powdered styrene maleic anlydride (SMA) and dimethyl sufoxide (DMSC). The result is a gel which is used in a small amount or just enough to block or partially block the vas deferens. The gel also coats the surface of the vas, serving as a reliable method of killing any sperm that might escape through the passage during intercourse. The vas is an extremely difficult passageway to plug because the tube has the ability to often stretch around any plug that is put in and then may begin to leak.

The RISUG can be injected percutaneously (which is finding the vas under the skin) a procedure best done by an experienced physician, or by exposing the vas in a common (no scapel method). The no scapel method is one in which the doctor makes a tiny hole in the skin which is so small that it requires no stitches and allows more open access to the vas. The prodedure generally takes only about 15 minutes. In minutes the gel solidifies and begins to adhere to the wall of the vas thus starting its job. Sperm coming near or contacting the gel is destroyed by causing the outer membrane of the sperm to burst, avoiding the fertilization of an egg or ovum during a sexual encounter. RISUG is almost immediately effective. A vasectomy is not fully effective for up to three months following the surgery.

Men are advised to wait at least 3 days to beging having sex and then to continue to use condoms for 10 more days after the procedure. In clinical trials there have been no resulting pregnancies in the first months following the procedure despite some men not following the follow up recommendations. RISUG also seems to have less impact on a males reproductive system than does a vasectomy.

When a reversal is desired, an injection of DMSO (a compound used in many medical procedures)is used to flush out the vas deferens. Thus allowing fertility to be halted by one injection and restarted by another.

RISUG has been found to be safe and effective in 25 years of animal and human trials. RISUG has not been approved yet by the United States for the purpose of birth control. For more information of the subject of the studies done go to www.newmalecontraception.org.

Sources used in this article are as follows: http://www.newmalecontraception.org/vas.htmhttp://www.eurekalert.org/bysubject/biology.php