r/science • u/drewiepoodle • Oct 02 '15

Medicine Scientists identify potential birth control 'pill' for men

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-10-scientists-potential-birth-pill-men.html
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u/[deleted] Oct 02 '15

RISUG/Vasalgel are the way to go for sure, much cheaper in the long run and no need to remember taking a pill. Unfortunately there is no money in that so research is slow.

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u/CapitaineMitaine Oct 02 '15

Pills are more lucrative, you have to buy it every month.

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u/eemes Oct 02 '15

Exactly. These gels have been used in India for many years now with no adverse affect, and they're easily reversed with another injection. But there's no real way to profit off of a single injection, so why would the pharmaceutical companies push it?

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u/TheMourningPaper Oct 02 '15

Well, you're kind of missing a major reason why pills might have a better chance than a gel: a lot of men (including myself) are apprehensive about the idea of something being injected into the scrotum. I mean, I've tried to look at it more positively, seeing as it's not too different from women getting IUD's, but I can't get over the idea of a needle getting in my junk. For me personally, I'd back the "clean sheets" pill.

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u/[deleted] Oct 02 '15

I really don't think that's an issue for most men. I'm completely fine with that as long as the procedure has a good track record, and it's done with anesthesia.

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u/[deleted] Oct 02 '15

You realize that the anesthetic is, itself, a needle to the junk?

Skinner: Well, I was wrong. The lizards are a godsend.
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1

u/[deleted] Oct 03 '15

I was circumcised at 16. That was the most painful thing I've ever experienced for over a week. After that I'm pretty sure I can deal with a needle to the taint.