Wednesday, 08 June 2011

  • Birth Control for Men Could Become a Reality

    Researchers in India are coming very close to giving men the option of using birth control. 

    RISUG, which stands for “Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance” is similar to a vasectomy. But its effects are easily reversible. The process is carried out by injecting a polymer (a gel) into the vas deferens, instead of cutting the vas like it is in a vasectomy. The polymer coats the inside walls of the vas deferens and kills sperm as it enters. If a man wants to restore fertility, (whether it's after months or years) the polymer is flushed out with another injection.

    The men who participated in the first trial have had RISUG implanted for 15 years with little or no complications. The most common complication found was a slight swelling of the testes. When RISUG was properly implanted, no pregnancies occurred during the first 3 years of the study and the volunteers have confirmed of no pregnancies since. 

    Researchers recommend that the patients use condoms for the first 10 days following the procedure. This is one of the fastest acting male contraceptives. RISUG even works faster than a vasectomy, which can take up to 3 months to become fully effective.

    For more information click here.

    What do you think of this? Do you think this is safe or necessary?

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  • Olympia
    • From: Olympia
    • About Me: I'm a broadcast journalism and anthropology major. Health and science are my nerdy passions. I hope my blogs motivate, inform and sometimes shock you, but only in a good way of course :) Twitter: OlympiaBardis
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