Condom-Free Contraceptive for Men Passes New Round of Trials

A new "long-acting, non-hormonal and possibly reversible birth control procedure for men" has passed another round of tests and is now headed for clinical trials this year. The treatment, known as Vasalgel, has been effectively tried on rabbits and has been proven to deliver an effective, safe and long-term contraception to men.

Developed by the Parseumus Foundation, a non-profit organization, the procedure similar in principle to vasectomy which prevents the sperm from leaving the vas deferens but unlike a vasectomy which involves surgery, the new procedure will only require the insertion of hydrogel material into the penis. This will allow important fluids from passing through while blocking out larger objects like sperm.

Vasalgel opens a new era of long-term yet reversible birth control options for men. During the clinical trials, semen samples demonstrated a fast return of sperm flow even after long-term use. Vasalgel is expected to last up to 12 months but the results of the recently concluded trials showed that it is possible for it to last even longer.

Trial leader Donald Waller said that outcome of their animal tests "were even better than expected". Waller, who is also a pharmacologist from the University of Illinois at Chicago, claims that the new procedure they have recently developed might just be the quick-acting and long-lasting contraceptive method that men need. "Vasalgel produces a very rapid contraceptive effect which lasted throughout the study due to its unique hydrogel properties. These features are important considerations for a contraceptive product to be used in humans." 

Vasalgel is not a hormonal birth control technique, which is a relief for men as hormonal injections and pills can be a huge inconvenience. The clinical tests for Vasalgel will commence this year while the final product is expected to hit the market as early as 2018.