Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes AvailableTypes in DevelopmentSupport for Male Birth Control
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types Available
Types in Development
Support for Male Birth Control
Right now, with the exception ofabstinenceandwithdrawal, there are only two available male birth control options: condoms andvasectomy.
Condoms are a single-use barrier method that is 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when used perfectly.A vasectomy is a permanent procedure that is nearly 100% effective, although it takes about two months for the results to set in.While condoms can also protect you against STIs, a vasectomy will not.
This article discusses male birth control options, including those that are available and those in development.
Westend61/Getty Images
Types of Male Birth Control
Men produce about seven million sperm per day. The main goal of male birth control is to prevent sperm from reaching and fertilizing a female partner’s egg.
Condoms
The purpose of a condom is to keep sperm inside the condom after you ejaculate. In order to accomplish this, the condom must be theright size for you. A condom that is too tight may break, and a condom that is too big can fall off. To ensure you get the right size, you will need tomeasure your penis.
There are manytypes of condomsto choose from. When shopping for condoms, consider the following factors:
Different materials of condoms have their pros and cons. For example, polyurethane condoms tend to be thinner, but they are also more likely to tear than latex condoms.Lambskin condoms are not vegan, but they are biodegradable. And polyisoprene condoms are usually stretchier than latex, but at a higher cost.
What Are Spermicidal Condoms?Spermicidal condomsare condoms that are coated with a spermicidal lubricant.Spermicideis a chemical substance that kills sperm or stops it from moving toward an egg. Although spermicidal condoms are better than using no condom at all, research shows they are no more effective than regular condoms.
What Are Spermicidal Condoms?
Spermicidal condomsare condoms that are coated with a spermicidal lubricant.Spermicideis a chemical substance that kills sperm or stops it from moving toward an egg. Although spermicidal condoms are better than using no condom at all, research shows they are no more effective than regular condoms.
How to Use a Condom Correctly
Vasectomy
For males who want to eliminate the possibility of impregnating their partner(s) permanently, a vasectomy is the only option. This surgical procedure is also known as male sterilization.
Vasectomies are invasive procedures done under general anesthesia. You can choose between a traditional vasectomy or ano-scalpel (keyhole) vasectomy. Both of these are simple, effective, and relativelylow-cost procedures.
With a fail rate of approximately .3% to .9%, vasectomies arealmost100% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, it takes at least two months after the vasectomy for your semen to be completely sperm-free. In the meantime, you will need to use backup birth control.
Are Vasectomies Reversible?A vasectomy can be reversed with a separate procedure called avasoepididymostomy. Do note, however, that only 60% to 65% of vasectomy reversals are successful.
Are Vasectomies Reversible?
A vasectomy can be reversed with a separate procedure called avasoepididymostomy. Do note, however, that only 60% to 65% of vasectomy reversals are successful.
Methods In Development
There are several male birth control methods that are currently in varying stages of development.
Male Hormonal Contraception
Hormonal methods have progressed further than any other form of male birth control. Although more research needs to be done, a formulation of the androgen testosterone with progestin (the synthetic form of progesterone) seems to hold the most promise.
The use of testosterone in male contraceptives reducesluteinizing hormone (LH)andfollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)from the pituitary gland of the brain. This significantly reduces sperm production in the testis.
Research shows that androgen-based hormonal methods may lower sperm count with only minor side effects, like acne, increasedlibido, muscle aches, and mood changes. The main disadvantage of this method is that it can take anywhere from three to four months to become effective.
Gendarussa
Justicia gendarussa, or gendarussa for short, is a medicinal plant local to tropical areas in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. For many decades, locals have brewed gendarussa leaves and drank them before sex as a form of birth control.
Gendarussa contains an active flavonoid called gendarusin A, which has been shown to temporarily weaken enzymes that sperm need to reach a female’s egg.
For the purpose of male contraception, researchers are exploring the possibility of extracting gendarusin A from the gendarussa plant and delivering it in capsule form.
However, due to a lack of clinical trials examining their safety and efficacy, gendarussin contraceptives are a long way from being approved.
Epididymal Protease Inhibitor (Eppin)
On the surface of male sperm are proteins called EPPIN that play a significant role in protecting the sperm.
That same researcher founded Eppin Pharma Inc. with the goal of developing a male contraceptive pill that harnesses EP055 to stop sperm from swimming. The pill is non-hormonal and its effects are both short-term and reversible.
Although the EP055 male contraceptive pill shows great potential in animal studies, the pill has not been tested in humans.Significant research is needed before the pill is proven safe and effective, and made available for use.
Male Birth Control Shot
RISUG, which stands for reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance, is a long-term, non-hormonal male contraceptive being studied as an alternative to vasectomy. It is delivered via injection and is effective for up to 10 years.
After receiving a local anesthetic, RISUG uses a polymer gel that’s injected into the vas deferens (two tubes that carryspermfrom the testes to the penis). This positively charged gel attaches to the inner walls of the vas deferens.
When negatively charged sperm flow through the vas deferens, the gel damages their heads and tails, rendering them infertile.
RISUG is closest to being approved for market in India, where it completed phase III clinical trials in human volunteers in October 2023. The Indian Council of Medical Research deemed RISUG safe and effective. If approved, it will be the world’s first injectable male contraceptive.
In one study, the most commonly reported side effect of RISUG was swelling of the scrotum. About 83% of males were infertile within one month, and about 17% within three to six months.
In the United States, Vasalgel, which is a contraceptive method based on RISUG, is the male birth control option furthest along in clinical trials. Vasalgel is currently undergoing animal and safety trials, but human clinical trials have not yet started.
Nearly 65% of U.S. women ages 15 to 49 use some form of birth control.Many women also feel like the responsibility to use birth control rests mainly on them. Male birth control research is expensive, and many developers are stopping their attempts to create additional male birth control options because of the costs.
The willingness of men to use a new type of male birth control varies widely between population groups.
In the end, though, more options are always better. And most women will probably not object to finally being able to unload some of the burden of contraception use on men.
Summary
There are only two forms of male birth control: condoms and a vasectomy. Condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when used perfectly every time. While most are latex, they can be found in a variety of materials, textures, and sizes. Finding a condom that fits properly is critical for ensuring it doesn’t break or fall off.
A vasectomy is a permanent male birth control option that involves surgery. Vasectomies may be reversed with a separate procedure, although the reversal does not always work. Several other forms of birth control, like the birth control shot and a male hormonal pill are under development. However, significant research is needed before they can be approved for use in the United States.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Planned Parenthood.How effective are condoms?.Planned Parenthood.What is the effectiveness of a vasectomy?.National Institutes of Health.Male contraceptive disables sperm.Yah CS, Simate GS, Hlangothi P, Somai BM.Nanotechnology and the future of condoms in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.Ann Afr Med. 2018;17(2):49–57. doi:10.4103/aam.aam_32_17PennState.Condoms and spermicides.Stanford Medicine.Vasectomy reversal.Abbe C, Page S, Thirumalai A.Male contraception.Yale J Biol Med. 2020 Sep;93(4):603-613.Service A, Puri D, Patel D.Emerging concepts in male contraception: a narrative review of novel, hormonal and non-hormonal options.Ther Adv Reprod Health. 2023 Mar;17(1):1-24. doi:10.1177/26334941221138323UNC Health Newsroom.Male contraceptive compound stops sperm without affecting hormones.O’Rand M, Hamil K, Adevai T, Zelinski M.Inhibition of sperm motility in male macaques with EP055, a potential non-hormonal male contraceptive.PLoS One. 2019 Apr;13(4):1-13. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0195953Sharma RS, Mathur AK, Singh R, et al.Safety & efficacy of an intravasal, one-time injectable & non-hormonal male contraceptive (RISUG): A clinical experience.Indian J Med Res. 2019;150(1):81-86. doi:10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_635_18Times of India.ICMR successfully tests first long-lasting male contraceptive.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Current contraceptive status among women aged 15–49: United States, 2015–2017.Male Contraceptive Initiative.Interest among U.S. men for new male contraceptive options. 2019.Additional ReadingAmory JK, Page ST, Bremner WJ.Drug insight: Recent advances in male hormonal contraception.Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab. 2006;2(1):32-41. doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0069Brady BM, Amory JK, Perheentupa A, et al.A multicentre study investigating subcutaneous etonogestrel implants with injectable testosterone decanoate as a potential long-acting male contraceptive.Hum Reprod. 2006;21(1):285-294. doi:10.1093/humrep/dei300Chaudhury K, Bhattacharyya AK, Guha SK.Studies on the membrane integrity of human sperm treated with a new injectable male contraceptive.Hum Reprod. 2004;19(8):1826-1830. doi:10.1093/humrep/deh332Friedman M, Nickels L, Sokal D, et al.Interest Among U.S. Men for New Male Contraceptive Options: Consumer Research Study. Durham, NC: Male Contraceptive Initiative; 2019.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Planned Parenthood.How effective are condoms?.Planned Parenthood.What is the effectiveness of a vasectomy?.National Institutes of Health.Male contraceptive disables sperm.Yah CS, Simate GS, Hlangothi P, Somai BM.Nanotechnology and the future of condoms in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.Ann Afr Med. 2018;17(2):49–57. doi:10.4103/aam.aam_32_17PennState.Condoms and spermicides.Stanford Medicine.Vasectomy reversal.Abbe C, Page S, Thirumalai A.Male contraception.Yale J Biol Med. 2020 Sep;93(4):603-613.Service A, Puri D, Patel D.Emerging concepts in male contraception: a narrative review of novel, hormonal and non-hormonal options.Ther Adv Reprod Health. 2023 Mar;17(1):1-24. doi:10.1177/26334941221138323UNC Health Newsroom.Male contraceptive compound stops sperm without affecting hormones.O’Rand M, Hamil K, Adevai T, Zelinski M.Inhibition of sperm motility in male macaques with EP055, a potential non-hormonal male contraceptive.PLoS One. 2019 Apr;13(4):1-13. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0195953Sharma RS, Mathur AK, Singh R, et al.Safety & efficacy of an intravasal, one-time injectable & non-hormonal male contraceptive (RISUG): A clinical experience.Indian J Med Res. 2019;150(1):81-86. doi:10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_635_18Times of India.ICMR successfully tests first long-lasting male contraceptive.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Current contraceptive status among women aged 15–49: United States, 2015–2017.Male Contraceptive Initiative.Interest among U.S. men for new male contraceptive options. 2019.Additional ReadingAmory JK, Page ST, Bremner WJ.Drug insight: Recent advances in male hormonal contraception.Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab. 2006;2(1):32-41. doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0069Brady BM, Amory JK, Perheentupa A, et al.A multicentre study investigating subcutaneous etonogestrel implants with injectable testosterone decanoate as a potential long-acting male contraceptive.Hum Reprod. 2006;21(1):285-294. doi:10.1093/humrep/dei300Chaudhury K, Bhattacharyya AK, Guha SK.Studies on the membrane integrity of human sperm treated with a new injectable male contraceptive.Hum Reprod. 2004;19(8):1826-1830. doi:10.1093/humrep/deh332Friedman M, Nickels L, Sokal D, et al.Interest Among U.S. Men for New Male Contraceptive Options: Consumer Research Study. Durham, NC: Male Contraceptive Initiative; 2019.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Planned Parenthood.How effective are condoms?.Planned Parenthood.What is the effectiveness of a vasectomy?.National Institutes of Health.Male contraceptive disables sperm.Yah CS, Simate GS, Hlangothi P, Somai BM.Nanotechnology and the future of condoms in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.Ann Afr Med. 2018;17(2):49–57. doi:10.4103/aam.aam_32_17PennState.Condoms and spermicides.Stanford Medicine.Vasectomy reversal.Abbe C, Page S, Thirumalai A.Male contraception.Yale J Biol Med. 2020 Sep;93(4):603-613.Service A, Puri D, Patel D.Emerging concepts in male contraception: a narrative review of novel, hormonal and non-hormonal options.Ther Adv Reprod Health. 2023 Mar;17(1):1-24. doi:10.1177/26334941221138323UNC Health Newsroom.Male contraceptive compound stops sperm without affecting hormones.O’Rand M, Hamil K, Adevai T, Zelinski M.Inhibition of sperm motility in male macaques with EP055, a potential non-hormonal male contraceptive.PLoS One. 2019 Apr;13(4):1-13. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0195953Sharma RS, Mathur AK, Singh R, et al.Safety & efficacy of an intravasal, one-time injectable & non-hormonal male contraceptive (RISUG): A clinical experience.Indian J Med Res. 2019;150(1):81-86. doi:10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_635_18Times of India.ICMR successfully tests first long-lasting male contraceptive.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Current contraceptive status among women aged 15–49: United States, 2015–2017.Male Contraceptive Initiative.Interest among U.S. men for new male contraceptive options. 2019.
Planned Parenthood.How effective are condoms?.
Planned Parenthood.What is the effectiveness of a vasectomy?.
National Institutes of Health.Male contraceptive disables sperm.
Yah CS, Simate GS, Hlangothi P, Somai BM.Nanotechnology and the future of condoms in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.Ann Afr Med. 2018;17(2):49–57. doi:10.4103/aam.aam_32_17
PennState.Condoms and spermicides.
Stanford Medicine.Vasectomy reversal.
Abbe C, Page S, Thirumalai A.Male contraception.Yale J Biol Med. 2020 Sep;93(4):603-613.
Service A, Puri D, Patel D.Emerging concepts in male contraception: a narrative review of novel, hormonal and non-hormonal options.Ther Adv Reprod Health. 2023 Mar;17(1):1-24. doi:10.1177/26334941221138323
UNC Health Newsroom.Male contraceptive compound stops sperm without affecting hormones.
O’Rand M, Hamil K, Adevai T, Zelinski M.Inhibition of sperm motility in male macaques with EP055, a potential non-hormonal male contraceptive.PLoS One. 2019 Apr;13(4):1-13. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0195953
Sharma RS, Mathur AK, Singh R, et al.Safety & efficacy of an intravasal, one-time injectable & non-hormonal male contraceptive (RISUG): A clinical experience.Indian J Med Res. 2019;150(1):81-86. doi:10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_635_18
Times of India.ICMR successfully tests first long-lasting male contraceptive.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Current contraceptive status among women aged 15–49: United States, 2015–2017.
Male Contraceptive Initiative.Interest among U.S. men for new male contraceptive options. 2019.
Amory JK, Page ST, Bremner WJ.Drug insight: Recent advances in male hormonal contraception.Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab. 2006;2(1):32-41. doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0069Brady BM, Amory JK, Perheentupa A, et al.A multicentre study investigating subcutaneous etonogestrel implants with injectable testosterone decanoate as a potential long-acting male contraceptive.Hum Reprod. 2006;21(1):285-294. doi:10.1093/humrep/dei300Chaudhury K, Bhattacharyya AK, Guha SK.Studies on the membrane integrity of human sperm treated with a new injectable male contraceptive.Hum Reprod. 2004;19(8):1826-1830. doi:10.1093/humrep/deh332Friedman M, Nickels L, Sokal D, et al.Interest Among U.S. Men for New Male Contraceptive Options: Consumer Research Study. Durham, NC: Male Contraceptive Initiative; 2019.
Amory JK, Page ST, Bremner WJ.Drug insight: Recent advances in male hormonal contraception.Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab. 2006;2(1):32-41. doi:10.1038/ncpendmet0069
Brady BM, Amory JK, Perheentupa A, et al.A multicentre study investigating subcutaneous etonogestrel implants with injectable testosterone decanoate as a potential long-acting male contraceptive.Hum Reprod. 2006;21(1):285-294. doi:10.1093/humrep/dei300
Chaudhury K, Bhattacharyya AK, Guha SK.Studies on the membrane integrity of human sperm treated with a new injectable male contraceptive.Hum Reprod. 2004;19(8):1826-1830. doi:10.1093/humrep/deh332
Friedman M, Nickels L, Sokal D, et al.Interest Among U.S. Men for New Male Contraceptive Options: Consumer Research Study. Durham, NC: Male Contraceptive Initiative; 2019.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
