The new contraceptive for men delighted the experts

Globally, there are several technological approaches to birth control in the world. Most of the approaches are specifically focused on how to prevent unwanted pregnancies. There are different types of birth control methods for sexually active people.

It is interesting that technology has given the female sex various possibilities, such as the barrier method and the use of hormonal drugs, sterilization, among others, the aim of which is to prevent sperm of the opposite sex from reaching the ovum during sexual intercourse. A condom, usually made of latex or polyurethane, primarily prevents semen from entering the vagina and also protects against all kinds of sexually transmitted diseases that can be contracted in the process.

However, while women bear most of the burden of contraception in heterosexual relationships, there are concerns about how men can help shoulder some of the responsibility when it comes to birth control. Apart from the use of condoms, complete retraction of the penis before ejaculation, and vasectomy, which appears to be the only permanent birth control for men, no male contraceptive has caught on.

Recently, a Virginia-based biotech company, Contraline, is developing what it calls ADAM, the world’s first injectable contraceptive gel for men, which it describes as “like an IUD, for men.” The invention is another long-lasting and non-permanent male contraceptive that requires injecting the gel into the abdomen.

The ADAM contraceptive is a non-hormonal gel that is injected into the vas deferens. It blocks sperm from traveling into the seminal fluid. Like the IUD, the ADAM is long-lasting and should prevent pregnancy for a year or more. Although the gel is currently under experimentation and has yet to be made available for public use, it is specifically designed to prevent sperm from traveling to the testicles, but after about two years the gel dissolves, giving men the opportunity to repeat the procedure one more time.

The recovery process, however, is similar to that of a vasectomy in that it requires 24-hour rest and complete abstinence from sex, sports and weight lifting for a week or such a person will be at risk of pain and bleeding within the scrotum.

The development is being tested in a clinical trial at Epworth Freemasons Hospital in East Melbourne, Australia with the belief that if the trial is successful the procedure will be available from 2025 to 2026, as there are currently four men said to have received the contraceptive. monitored for possible effects.

Epworth Freemasons urologist and principal investigator of the study, Professor Nathan Lawrentschuk, was quoted as saying that “the three-year study will investigate whether the hydrogel is successful as a short- and long-term contraceptive for men.

“If successful, it could be a game-changer, ensuring that contraception is a shared responsibility between couples.”

United Nations data predicts that the world population will increase by two billion people in the next 30 years from the current 7.7 billion to 9.7 billion in 2050. It added that as the increase continues, there is a possibility that the world population could be close to 11 billion by 2100.

The 2019 World Population Prospects revealed that Asia has 61 percent of the world’s population, 17 percent in Africa, 10 percent in Europe, eight percent in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the remaining five percent in North America and Oceania. .

The statistics further showed that China and India were identified as the most populous countries with 1.44 billion and 1.39 billion people respectively, accounting for about 18 percent and 19 percent of the world’s population, respectively, of the total population.

Meanwhile, China’s population was projected to decline by 2.2 percent between 2019 and 2050, while India was expected to overtake the world’s most populous country by 2027.

In 2019, Nigeria was estimated by the United Nations to have a population of 201 million, the largest in Africa, before the numbers jump to 216 million in 2022, representing an estimated 2.7 percent of the world’s population. This resulted from a rapid increase in the birth rate throughout the country.

Commenting on the development, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Adewale Sule-Odu, explained that the invention is a very good method that can be adopted in Nigeria for population control.

He added that when the relevant authorities finally approve the product and publicize it, Nigerian governments should publicize it and encourage men to adopt it.

He said: “Contraception is very important not only in Nigeria but all over the world. There have been many contraceptive methods before, but this one is supposed to be the latest and is still being tested. Looking at the fertility rate in Nigeria, it is very high and so far the population is increasing day by day. Those developed countries managed to control their population. If our government is serious, this can be well achieved, but there should be a certain level of enlightenment in this direction.

“A lot of things have been put in place to manage the fertility rate, given our resources. It will be helpful along with others. The beauty of this is that you can decide to continue or not after two years. The male gender is too difficult to control and that is their problem. They always think that birth control should always be done by women, while men should also contribute. A man at an older age can still reproduce compared to a woman who is at the limit of her fertile years.”

He added: “The government needs to do a lot to educate the public about male fertility control and it’s not just about this new method which is still in the experimental stage, men should also be educated about the existing ones.

“I don’t see any reason why anyone should be afraid of a vasectomy, especially when you’re about 60, because by then you have to have as many children as you want to have.” Such procedures can also be made available at a lower cost or even for free. When they’re free, a lot of people will actually subscribe to them.”

Also, a professor of reproductive health at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Auwal Abdulkarim, said Nigerian adult men are more likely to doubt the effectiveness of male contraception, adding that relevant regulatory bodies should undertake the necessary findings before the product is approved for use in the country.

He said: “Frankly, we agree that the population of the country is increasing and something has to be done. There are phobias about contraception among men, but if it is safe, it is a welcome idea. It’s good to have something for men too. It is best to wait for NAFDAC to hear their comment on the product when it comes out.”

Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Ernest Orji, was also optimistic that more Nigerian men would be willing to use ADAM.

Orji said: “Nigeria is a procreative society where men are well known for dominating decision making and you know a woman must be involved in sexual activity with a man to conceive; so if the product successfully passes those clinical stages it will be a very good development. This will reduce fertility and overall population if Nigeria.

“Besides male condoms, which are the most popular among men, this method will be a better means of reducing unwanted pregnancies and children. Men will also be more actively involved in birth control. The truth is that when it is tested and people see that it does not affect their performance and has no or few side effects, it will be widely accepted. The supply will also be high because they know they won’t be able to impregnate women when it becomes available.”