Men have had few options for birth control, but that may soon change thanks to the Vasalgel injection. This is in addition to the male condom and vasectomy.
The injection is administered near the testicles and is known as RISUG (Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance), an acronym in English that stands for reversible sperm suppression under control.
But it’s not that easy to use, as the injection must be done by a professional team and under local anesthesia. The application is close to the genitals, but the procedure takes about 15 minutes.
The injection of the polymeric compound is injected into the ejaculatory duct, which is responsible for the transfer of sperm. At the end of the procedure, the gel remains fixed and creates a plug in the ducts to prevent sperm from escaping.
The duration of the effect is about 13 years, but it is possible to interrupt its effect at any time the patient decides. This is done by applying a solution that dissolves the gel so that the sperm flow becomes regular again.
When will it be available?
In December 2019, the Parsemus Foundation appealed to the public for donations to complete the development of the injection.
“Every year, more than 85 million unplanned pregnancies occur worldwide; half of them end in abortion. Men who are not dependent on their partners for birth control have several options: condoms, vasectomy, abstinence, or withdrawal. We are developing a new option: Vasalgel,” he said in a statement.
The company said its mission is to provide men with the first effective, long-term and reversible option to control their fertility.
“We hope you share our belief that Vasalgel will benefit millions of people around the world. Please consider making a donation to support the development of Vasalgel.”
Plans for its distribution were in place last year, but the pandemic delayed its arrival. It is currently unknown when it will be available in Mexico, but it has been announced that the testing phase has come to an end, so its distribution may be closer. According to some estimates, it could cost up to $150.
In November 2019, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) announced that it is poised to revolutionize reproductive health in the world.
The Hindustan Times reported that the ICMR, the country’s leading biomedical research body, announced the successful completion of clinical trials for the world’s first injectable contraceptive for sexually active men.
The ICMR must provide the health authorities of the countries in which it intends to market the new contraceptive with the Phase III clinical trials, which were applied to 303 candidates, the methodology of the trials conducted and the results obtained, among which stands out “A 97.3% success rate with no reported side effects.”