Beyond the Pill

Whether the male pill will actually be a "pill" is up in the air. Tests so far on men have also been conducted with an injection or an implant version of hormonally-based birth control.

Photo courtesy N.V. Organon Pharmaceutical company Organon is developing a male birth-control "pill" that is a combination of an implant and an injection.

Researchers from the pharmaceutical companies Organon and Schering AG are conducting a major study on a male contraceptive implant. In 2002, they began phase II clinical trials of a male birth-control implant containing the progestogen etonogestrel -- a hormone also present in hormonally-based contraception for women. The rods, which are implanted under the skin of the man's arm, are designed to remain in the skin for about three years, but they can be removed at any time. Because etonogestrel blocks testosterone as well as sperm production, men who get this implant will also need to receive testosterone injections every four to six weeks. The phase II trial finished in December 2005. The companies will announce in fall 2006 if they will begin phase II trials -- the last stage before the implant goes onto the market.

At the same time, researchers from the Population Council are developing implant, gel and patch versions of the synthetic hormone MENT® for contraceptive use.