develop the first « male pill » without hormones
Men today have only two forms of (safe) contraception: condom and vasectomy. Women, however, can choose from more than twenty methods – from hormonal pills, patches and uterine inserts (IUD) to implants and vaginal rings. However, many methods for women bring side effects such as hormonal fluctuations, headaches, weight gain or mood disorders. In addition, most methods require consistent use or invasive interventions in the body.
Men, except for a condom, have no comparable method that is effective, safe, returned and at the same time not affecting their hormones. That may change now – researchers with Universities of Minnesota They develop the first non-hormonian male contraceptive pill called YCT-529, which is already successfully serving clinical tests and promising a significant turn in understanding contraception.
The YCT-529 is a result of cooperation between the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Colombian University and yours, Therapeutics. A key advantage is the fact that it does not affect male hormones, but inhibits the formation of sperm by targeting a retinoid signaling pathway in the testes – this is a biological mechanism associated with vitamin A, which is crucial for spermatogenesis, writes Communications medicine.
At first glance, vitamin A may seem to have nothing to do with male contraception. In reality, however, it has a very important role – not so much because of what we know from everyday life (for example, for good vision), but because it is involved in the formation of sperm.
Vitamin A (or its special form, called retinoic acid) acts as a message substance in the body. By embroidering special proteins in cells – receptors – it « communicates » to the body to begin or continue some important processes. One of these processes is spermatogenesis, that is, the formation of male sex cells, sperm.
The YCT-529 focuses on this signal path. It works by blocking the receptors to which the retinous acid usually binds. When there are no signals, the body temporarily ceases to produce sperm. However, this does not affect other male hormones, such as testosterone – therefore does not cause libido problems, mood or muscle mass.
Scientists say this approach is similar to « turn off the switch in only one room, not to turn off electricity throughout the apartment. » Therefore, the drug does not affect other important functions of vitamin A in the body, such as the immune system, skin or cell growth.
When a man stops taking the medicine, the receptors are re -activated and the body begins to produce the seeds normally. In tests on animals (mice and monkeys), fertility has returned within a few weeks. This means that the medicine is not permanent, but only works as long as a man uses it.
According to researchers, almost half of all pregnancies in the US and around the world are unplanned. Photo: Shutterstock
Mice testing has shown that the drug causes infertility within four weeks and has 99 % effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. In the case of males of primates, however, researchers noticed a significant reduction in the number of sperm after two weeks of taking. After cessation of use, both mice and primates were fully recovered – mice became fertile again in six weeks, and the primates within 10 to 15 weeks, researchers from the University of Minnesota reported.
It is also important that no side effects have been detected (so far) in studies (so far).
The most commonly used contraception methods and their estimated efficiency in complete (correct) use are collected in the table below. These values are derived from data World Health Organization (WHO), US College for Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), Guttmacher Institute and Center to Control and Prevent US Diseases (CDC). All numbers are average values from several studies and clinical trials.
Clinical studies are already taking place
In 2024, youchoice Therapeutics successfully carried out the first phase of clinical trials on people in which they confirmed the safety of the drug. The second phase of testing is currently underway, which checks efficiency and any long -term consequences.
They conducted an initial clinical trial of the IA phase, which included 50 men between 28 and 70 years of age. Photo: Shutterstock
They conducted an initial clinical trial of the IA phase, which included 50 men between 28 and 70 years of age. This trial evaluated the safety and transmission of the YCT-529 at different doses and did not detect significant safety problems or serious side effects. The 28-day trial is currently underway to assess the impact of the drug on the number of sperm and will be followed by a 90-day testing of phase IIB, planned to start the second quarter of 2025, writes Reuters.
« This study laid the foundations for further testing of YCT-529 on people who are currently very successful, » she said Nadja Mannowetzthe main researcher and co -founder Happiest Health Network.
Concern
Despite the promising results, many concerns arise in the development of men’s non-hormonal contraceptive pills such as the YCT-529. One of the main ones is the impact on vitamin A signaling, which plays an important role in various problems of functions, including the immune system. Experts like Richard Sharpe From the University of Edinburgh, they point out the possibility of side effects.
Despite these challenges, the development of the YCT-529 is an important step towards greater gender equality in the field of contraception. Current clinical studies will be crucial in determining the safety and effectiveness of this medicine in humans.
Why does this mean a turnaround?
According to researchers, almost half of all pregnancies in the US and around the world are unplanned. A reliable contraceptive method for men would significantly expand the set of protective agents and allow more equal division of responsibility between partners. « A reliable and safe men’s pill would give men more autonomy, and more couples, » the professor stressed Gunda Georgleading researcher from the University of Minnesota.
Hormone pills can cause a range of side effects – from headaches, mood swings and weight gain to more serious complications such as blood clots or blood pressure problems. In addition, the burden of contraception is almost entirely on the side of women. Photo: Shutterstock
Today, contraceptive pills are used by hundreds of million women worldwide – it is one of the most common methods to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Slovenia is no exception: according to data National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) are hormonal contraceptives among the most commonly prescribed medicines to women, especially in the age group between the ages of 18 and 30. But although they are effective, they are not without risks.
Hormone pills can cause a range of side effects – from headaches, mood swings and weight gain to more serious complications such as blood clots or blood pressure problems. In addition, the burden of contraception is almost entirely on the side of women.
This is why scientists point out that the arrival of a male pill, such as the YCT-529, would be an important step towards a fairer sharing of responsibility. Since it does not contain hormones and does not cause permanent changes, men could finally have their own, reliable and return family planning method.
If the results of the second phase of testing are positive, the third phase will be followed by larger groups of people. If it proves effective, it could become the first commercially accessible men’s contraceptive pill – without hormones, without invasive interventions and without side effects within a few years.
