The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that new reversible male contraceptive methods could become available within the next five to ten years, expanding the range of options it currently recommends for men.
At present, WHO’s guidance on male contraception is limited to condoms and vasectomy, the latter being a permanent surgical solution. The agency’s statement signals a shift toward diversifying the toolkit for men who seek temporary, non‑permanent birth control.
Researchers are exploring several approaches, including hormonal pills, gels, injections and implantable devices that can be discontinued when a man wishes to restore fertility. These methods aim to provide reliable, reversible protection without the need for surgery.
The WHO indicated that the projected five‑to‑ten‑year timeline reflects the stages of clinical testing, regulatory approval and manufacturing scale‑up required before such products can reach the market.
If realised, these innovations could have significant implications for family‑planning programmes across Africa and globally, offering couples greater flexibility and supporting gender‑balanced responsibility for contraception.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>