Male contraceptive

Male contraceptives, also known as male birth control, are methods of preventing pregnancy that are used by males or people who produce sperm.^[1] The main forms of male contraceptives available today are condoms, vasectomy, and withdrawal, and these methods combined make up less than one-third of global contraceptive use.^[2][3][4][5]

New forms of male contraception are in clinical and preclinical stages of research and development, but as of 2024, none have reached regulatory approval for widespread use.^[6][7][8][9] These new methods include topical creams, daily pills, injections, long-acting implants, and external devices, and these products have both hormonal and non-hormonal mechanisms of action.^{[6][10][11][12][13][14][15]} Although this article will use the term "male" for clarity, these contraceptives are best described as "sperm-targeting", since they would be effective in any person that produces sperm, regardless of that person's gender identity. Some of these new contraceptives could even be unisex, or usable by any person, because they deactivate mature sperm either in sperm-producing bodies before ejaculation or in egg-producing bodies after sperm arrives.^[16][17]

Surveys indicate that around half of men in countries across the world are interested in using a variety of novel contraceptive methods,^{[18][19][20][21]} and men in clinical trials for male contraceptives have reported high levels of satisfaction with the products.^[12][22] Women worldwide have also shown a high level of interest in new male contraceptives, and though both male and female partners could use their own contraceptives simultaneously, women in long-term relationships have indicated a high degree of trust in their male partner's ability to successfully manage contraceptive use.^[18][23][24]

Modelling studies suggest that even partial adoption of new male contraceptives would significantly reduce unintended pregnancy rates around the globe,^[25] which remain at nearly 50%, even in developed countries where women have access to modern contraceptives.^[26][27][28] Unintended pregnancies are associated with negative socioeconomic, educational, and health outcomes for women, men, and the resulting children (especially in historically marginalized communities),^{[27][29][30][31][32][33][34]} and 60% of unintended pregnancies end in abortions,^[35][36] many of which are unsafe and can lead to women's harm or death.^{[37][38][39][40]} Therefore, the development of new male contraceptives has the potential to improve racial, economic, and gender equality across the world, advance reproductive justice and reproductive autonomy for all people, and save lives.