An experimental birth control pill for men has successfully passed tests of safety when participants used it daily for a month, according to scientists who said that the drug does not affect libido. The contraceptive, called 11-beta-methyl-19-nortestosterone dodecylcarbonate, is a modified testosterone that has the combined actions of a male hormone (androgen) and a progesterone.
“Our results suggest that this pill, which combines two hormonal activities in one, will decrease sperm production while preserving libido,” said Christina Wang, from the Los Angeles Biomed Research Institute (LA Biomed).
The study took place in 40 healthy men at LA BioMed and the University of Washington in the U.S.
Subjects took the drug or placebo once daily with food for 28 days.
Ms. Wang said drug side effects were few, mild and included fatigue, acne.
