A new male contraceptive gel is set to go on trial next year, designed to halt the production of sperm to prevent pregnancy.
More than 400 couples will test the product for the major study, due to launch in April 2018.
The trial will mark one of the largest tests on a hormonal male contraceptive to date, involving participants from the UK, US, Sweden, Italy, Chile and Kenya.
Currently contraception options for men are limited with just two choices on the market: condoms or a vasectomy.
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Vadim_Key via Getty Images
Perhaps surprisingly, the gel is not designed to be rubbed into the genitals. Instead, men involved in the trial will rub a small portion of the gel into their upper arms and shoulders every day, enabling it to soak into their blood stream.
The contraceptive contains a synthetic form of progestin, which prevents the testes from producing enough testosterone to produce regular sperm.
The gel also contains a synthetic testosterone replacement, designed to counteract any hormone imbalance caused by the progestin, without leading to the production of sperm.
Each male participant will use the gel for a minimum of four months and their sperm levels will be monitored by researchers.
Meanwhile their female partners will use a form of female contraception if they wish to prevent pregnancy.
The gel has been developed by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, part of the US National Institutes of Health.
Speaking to MIT Technology Review, Diana Blithe, director for contraception development at the organisation, said the gel dries within a minute and is easy to use.
“It’s not a lot of effort. It’s just remembering to use it every day,” she said.
She added that even if the trial results are positive, the public will have to wait a few years before seeing the gel available on the market.
Contraception Myths Explained
Myth(01 of11)
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1 in 2 women believe that all types of contraception require you to do something regularly to be effective (credit:Alamy)
Fact(02 of11)
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"Some long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as the implant or intrauterine contraceptives do not require regular administration in order to be effective."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(03 of11)
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Almost 1 in 5 women don’t realise they can get pregnant if they miss a pill (credit:Alamy)
Fact(04 of11)
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"Missing a pill can significantly impact the risk of becoming pregnant particularly if you have unprotected sex around the time of the hormone free interval. If you do miss a pill, follow the instructions on your packet of pills."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(05 of11)
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"Around 1 in 4 women believe that long acting reversible contraception (LARCs) are permanent and irreversible contraception solutions." (credit:Alamy)
Fact(06 of11)
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"Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are not permanent forms of contraception and are reversible. For example once an implant, intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) is removed, there is no evidence to suggest a delay in the woman's fertility return."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(07 of11)
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Nearly 1 in 5 women believe that all contraception requires a monthly visit to their Healthcare professional (HCP) (credit:Alamy)
Fact(08 of11)
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"That's not the case - for example following the fitting of an intrauterine contraceptive, women should return to their healthcare professional for a check at about 6 weeks and then they don't need to make another appointment until it needs changing."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Fact(09 of11)
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"Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are not permanent forms of contraception and are reversible. There is no evidence of delay in return of fertility when an implant, intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) is removed. There could be a delay of up to one year in the return of fertility after a woman stops having the contraceptive injection."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(10 of11)
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Nearly 1 in 5 women think that long term methods all need surgical insertion into the uterus. (credit:Alamy)
Fact(11 of11)
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"The intrauterine system (IUS) and intrauterine device (IUD) are inserted into the uterus. Injectable contraceptives are however given by injection either into the large muscle in the bottom or in the upper arm and the contraceptive implant is fitted just under the skin on the inside of the upper arm."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)