Male hormonal contraception: looking back and moving forward

Abstract

Despite numerous contraceptive options available to women, approximately half of all pregnancies in the United States and worldwide are unplanned. Women and men support the development of reversible male contraception strategies, but none have been brought to market. Herein we review the physiologic basis for male hormonal contraception, the history of male hormonal contraception development, currents agents in development as well as the potential risks and benefits of male hormonal contraception for men.

Keywords: contraception; spermatogenesis; testosterone.

© 2015 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.

Figures

Figure 1. Physiologic Mechanism of Male Hormonal Contraception

Panel A highlights the normal positive stimulation from the hypothalamus and pituitary which stimulate testosterone production and spermatogenesis, with thick black lines representing the negative feedback loop. Panel B illustrates the change in the feedback loop by exogenous androgens, with or without progestins, causing persistent negative feedback and suppression of hormone release from the hypothalamus and pituitary glands.

Figure 1. Physiologic Mechanism of Male Hormonal Contraception

Panel A highlights the normal positive stimulation from the hypothalamus and pituitary which stimulate testosterone production and spermatogenesis, with thick black lines representing the negative feedback loop. Panel B illustrates the change in the feedback loop by exogenous androgens, with or without progestins, causing persistent negative feedback and suppression of hormone release from the hypothalamus and pituitary glands.