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Reversible, non-barrier male contraception: status and prospects.

Hoesl CE, Saad F, Pöppel M, Altwein JE

Department of Urology, Hospital Barmherzige Brüder, Technical University Munich, Romanstr. 93, 80639 Munich, Germany. cornelia_hoesl@yahoo.de

OBJECTIVE: Male, non-barrier, contraceptive options are limited to vasectomy and inadequate methods such as withdrawal and periodic abstinence. Herein we give an overview of current research on male contraception by pharmacological means. METHODS: Literature search of PubMed documented publications and abstracts from meetings. RESULTS: Cross-cultural surveys show men's willingness to carry contraceptive responsibility. Clinical trials substantiate that hormonal contraception involving suppression of gonadotropins holds the best promise to provide a male pharmacological contraceptive. Androgens have been demonstrated to induce reversible infertility particularly in combination with certain progestins and GnRH antagonists. Advances in non-endocrine contraception include intervention with triptolide derivatives, alkylated imino sugars, and immunization by eppin. CONCLUSION: The prospect of a pharmacological, male contraceptive has been considerably advanced in recent years. Long-term studies involving a greater number of subjects may result in a safe, reversible and effective means. Asia is likely to be the first market for male, hormonal contraceptive methods. The clinical evaluation of non-endocrine approaches may ultimately lead to an alternative to hormone-based male contraception.

Published 18 October 2005 in Eur Urol, 48(5): 712-22; discussion 722-3.
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