New male birth control pill moves a step closer – but will you take it?

Is it time for men to take responsibility?

As it stands, the only way for men to take control of their own fertility is to get a vasectomy - a sometimes irreversible procedure which carries certain dangers. But last year, researchers from Indonesia’s Airlangga University claimed to have invented a male contraceptive pill they claim has a 99% effectiveness rate. Now it looks as though their compound is in trials and could be rolled out by the end of the year. (Virgin Produced/Giphy) This week, Scientists at the American Chemical Society balanced the playing field with an announcement suggesting that whilst it still isn't perfect, they are getting very close. According to The Times, the academics at Minnesota University said:

"It would have to be soluble so it could be taken by mouth. It would start working fairly quickly and it wouldn’t diminish libido. It would be safe even if taken for decades.

"And because some users would eventually want to have children, its impact on fertility would be reversible, with no lingering ill effects on sperm or embryos. At certain doses, it [works], but at those doses, it doesn't work for up to 20% of men, and it can cause side effects, including weight gain and a decrease in 'good' cholesterol."

Also in the works is a long-acting, non-hormonal contraceptive gel called Vasalgel which is injected into the scrotum and can stop sperm from being ejected upon orgasm. Sounds fun... A survey conducted last year by the Kaiser Family Foundation revealed that 66% of men would be willing to take male birth control pills. Meanwhile, only 43% were on board with the Vasalgel shot, while a mere 36% were open to getting injected with implants.