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Semin Reprod Med 2023; 41(06): 279-286
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777757
Review Article

Male Contraception

John K. Amory 
1   Department of Medicine, The Center for Research in Reproduction and Contraception, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
› Author Affiliations Funding This work was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, a branch of the National Institute of Health via grant R01HD098039.
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Abstract

Approximately 40 to 50% of pregnancies are unintended. Contraceptive use significantly reduces the risk of unintended pregnancy. Approximately 70% of couples' contraceptive use is female and 30% is male, attributable to the reliance on condoms and vasectomies. Unfortunately, many women cannot use currently available contraceptives due to medical contraindications or side effects. At the same time, men want additional safe and effective contraceptive methods. Because of this, work to develop novel, safe, and effective male contraceptives is underway. This review will briefly discuss the pros and cons of condoms and vasectomies, and then describe research into the development of novel methods of male contraception, by the mechanism of action of the contraceptive. First, we will discuss male contraceptives that block sperm transmission. Next, we will discuss male contraceptives that impair sperm production. Lastly, we will discuss male contraceptives that impair sperm function.

Keywords

male contraception - spermatozoa - condoms - vasectomy - unintended pregnancy

Disclosure Statement

The author has received research funding from Ferring Pharmaceuticals.




Publication History

Article published online:
19 December 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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