While women have had access to oral contraceptives for more than 60 years, men still don’t have a reliable pill of their own. The obstacle isn’t lack of science—researchers have identified multiple ways to temporarily reduce male fertility—but rather a combination of cultural attitudes, ethical concerns, and strict standards around side effects.
The story of male contraception began in the late 1960s with a surprising observation. A man taking the antipsychotic drug thioridazine noticed that, although he could still experience sexual pleasure, ejaculation no longer occurred. This rare side effect hinted at a possible method for contraception without reducing libido.
Later, researchers found a similar effect with phenoxybenzamine, a drug typically used for blood pressure control Scientists hoped to replicate this mechanism with safer compounds specifically designed for birth control.
Early enthusiasm, however, was short-lived. Many men involved in trials reported discomfort with the idea of “dry” orgasms.
Despite this setback, scientists have continued searching for new solutions. Recent studies in mice have identified a protein that temporarily immobilizes sperm, rendering males infertile for a short period. While promising, the approach remains years away from human approval.
Interestingly, the challenge has rarely been effectiveness. Over the past five decades, multiple male contraceptive methods have successfully passed human trials. Many were safe, reversible, and reliable. .
These effects mirror those long accepted in female hormonal contraception. Women have historically carried the physical and emotional burden of birth control, while men face stricter expectations about tolerable side effects.
History highlights this disparity. When the female pill was introduced in the late 1950s, clinical trials included roughly 1,500 women. Some dropped out, and several even died.
