Flagstaff lab working on male birth control that can take effect and be reversed in minutes
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZFamily) — The Arizona Supreme Court ruled this week the state can enforce an 1864 law that bans almost all abortions.
Now, eyes are on contraceptives, and some are in the works that would allow men to take control of birth control.
For decades, birth control has become mainly a woman’s responsibility; however, honey-like liquid in vials from a small Flagstaff lab could hold the key to reversible and nonhormonal male birth control.
Dr Rob Kellar is the chief science officer for NEXT Life Sciences’ Flagstaff lab. He and his team are developing and testing Plan A, male birth control. “Having the ability to develop new technology that gives not just men but partners, couples, some other options to consider in family planning is a really big deal,” Kellar said
Plan A would be a shot aiming to provide up to ten years of male birth control. It takes effect and can be reversed in just minutes. “We were looking to deliver an option that can be reliable but also reversible, and it’s on-demand reversible,” Kellar said.
The latest data from the CDC shows about 36 percent of pregnancies in the last decade were unplanned.
NEXT Life founder LR Fox said that is why creating male birth control is a priority. “No matter what side of the aisle you’re on or where you stand in the debate, the reality is that the best way to prevent the need for abortion is to enable people to proactively plan when they’re going to get pregnant,” Fox said.
The serum would not decrease the amount of sperm made but rather prevent any sperm from escaping. Kellar said it is nonhormonal and does not impact sperm production but rather prevents any from passing through. “It changes into a solid and forms a plug, but it’s got micropores, very small holes that allow fluid to flow through but not larger objects like sperm,” he said.
This serum has been developing for years, and they plan to move to clinical trials within the following year.
Fox said they’re excited about what this could mean for the future of contraceptives. “It should not be a burden,” Fox said. “It should be an opportunity a privilege to be able to take responsibility over yourself, your relationship, and the rest of your lives.”
Kellar also said this isn’t supposed to replace vasectomy but rather be another tool in the toolbelt of contraceptives. You can learn more about the products on their website and stay up to date with them.
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