Contraceptive pill for men that doesn't alter hormones is safe to take, study suggests
Female tablets work by altering hormone levels to reduce the risk of conception but this approach has proven difficult in men because of severe side effects such as infertility and mood swings. These side effects are common in female versions.
YourChoice Therapeutics has developed the first non-hormonal contraceptive for men which works by blocking the production of a protein, which is needed to produce sperm, and not meddling with hormones.
The drug stops production of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR-alpha) in the body and this prevents it binding to vitamin A compounds and subsequently prevents sperm production.
Animal studies showed this mechanism to be 99pc effective and also found that sperm levels returned to normal after the medication was stopped, showing the contraceptive to be temporary and reversible.
Human trials began in 2023 when 16 healthy men who had already had a vasectomy were recruited to test the safety of the drug in people.
Data, published this week, show it to be safe and well-tolerated with no clinically relevant side effects in a significant step forward for the prospects of the drug, known as YCT-529.
The trial of 16 British men gave participants either the tablet or a placebo and conducted analysis on the participants to measure their blood, urine, mood and overall health.
Four different dosages were tested and all were found to be well-tolerated. The highest dose was the same as what was shown to be effective as a contraceptive in animal trials.
There was no reduction in testosterone levels, sex drive or any other hormonal imbalance, the scientists found.
'The positive results from this first clinical trial laid the groundwork for a second trial, where men receive YCT-529 for 28 days and 90 days, to study safety and changes in sperm parameters,' the study authors write in their peer-reviewed study in the journal Communications Medicine.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Dozens more Palestinians killed by Israeli fire as war drags on
Israeli strikes and gunfire in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 46 Palestinians overnight into Wednesday morning, most of them among crowds seeking food, hospitals said. The dead include more than 30 people who were seeking humanitarian aid, according to a hospital that treated dozens of wounded people. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on any of the strikes, but says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas, because the group's militants operate in densely populated areas. Palestinians inspect the site where an Israeli strike hit in Muwasi, Khan Younis (Mariam Dagga/AP) The deaths came as the UK announced it would recognise a Palestinian state in September, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, after a similar declaration by France's president. Israel's foreign ministry said that it rejected the British statement. The Shifa hospital in Gaza City said it received 12 people who were killed on Tuesday night when Israeli forces opened fire towards crowds waiting for aid trucks coming from the Zikim crossing in north-western Gaza. Thirteen others were killed in strikes in the Jabaliya refugee camp and the northern towns of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, the hospital said. In the southern city of Khan Younis, the Nasser hospital said it received the bodies of 16 people it says were killed on Tuesday evening while waiting for aid trucks close to the newly built Morag corridor, which separates Khan Younis from the southernmost city of Rafah. The hospital received another body, of a man killed in a strike on a tent in Khan Younis, it said. The Awda hospital in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp said that it received the bodies of four Palestinians who it says were killed on Wednesday by Israeli fire close to an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in the Netzarim corridor area, south of the Wadi Gaza. Palestinians scramble for aid packages dropped into the Mediterranean Sea (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Seven more Palestinians, including a child, have died of malnutrition-related causes in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, the territory's health ministry said on Wednesday. A total of 89 children have died of malnutrition since the war began in Gaza. The ministry said 65 Palestinian adults have also died of malnutrition-related causes across Gaza since late June, when it started counting deaths among adults. Hamas started the war with a militant-led attack on southern Israel on October 7 2023, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251 others. They still hold 50 hostages, though Israel believes that more than half are dead. Most of the rest were released in ceasefires or other deals. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Its count doesn't distinguish between militants and civilians. The ministry operates under the Hamas government. The UN and other international organisations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Brit brothers, 11 and 13, drown in front of horrified dad while swimming at popular Spanish beach
TWO British brothers have tragically died on a beach in Spain after encountering trouble while swimming in the sea. The boys, aged 11 and 13, drowned off Llarga beach in Salou, Tarragona, on Tuesday evening, according to the Civil Protection force. 3 Two British brothers have tragically died on a beach in Spain Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 Their dad, who had also entered the water alongside his children, was rescued alive Credit: Getty Their dad, who had also entered the water alongside his children, was rescued alive. Emergency services were first called at 8:47pm, sparking a large response. Paramedics from the Medical Emergency System were dispatched to the harrowing incident, alongside a team of psychologists to assist the family. Authorities said the deaths marked the 15th and 16th fatalities on Catalan beaches since the summer campaign began officially on June 15. read more news The number "already exceeds by five those registered in the same period last summer". Catalonia's Civil Protection said in a statement: "Two brothers, of British nationality and aged 11 and 13, drowned this evening on the Llarga beach in Salou (Tarragona). "The father of the minors, who had also entered the water, was rescued alive. "These are the 15th and 16th fatalities on Catalan beaches since the summer campaign officially began on June 15, a figure that already exceeds by five those registered in the same period last summer (11). Most read in The Sun "The emergency telephone number 112 received the warning at 8.47pm. Seven land units of the Medical Emergency System (SEM) intervened in the incident, as well as a team of psychologists activated by the same service to assist the relatives." It added: "The Civil Protection of the Generalitat reminds us of the importance of taking extreme precautions on beaches, swimming pools and inland waters this summer. Tragedy in Majorca: British Tourist Drowns Near Love Island Villa "If you notice that someone is unwell or has difficulties in the water, you should urgently notify the lifeguard service or call 112 to facilitate their rapid action." Yesterday, a The 72-year-old holidaymaker was in the water by paramedics who rushed to the resort which sits just minutes away from the Love Island villa . The alarm was raised just after 8.30am this morning in S'llot - a small tourist town on the south east coast of the Officials discovered the man in the pool of the three-star BJ Playa Blanca Hotel. Emergency medical organisation SAMU said: 'A British man aged 72 has been found floating face down in the swimming pool of a hotel in S'Illot. 'He was pulled out of the water and basic resuscitation manoeuvres were practiced on him until the first ambulances arrived when it was confirmed he had gone into cardiac arrest. 'Despite attempts to resuscitate him he died. The alarm was raised at 8.37am this morning ." 3 The boys tragically drowned off Llarga beach in Salou, Tarragona Credit: Getty
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Gran dies in Spanish airport on way home from 'best holiday' with grandkids
A grandmother has tragically died at a Spanish airport while on her way back from a holiday. Angela McTier was en route to Alicante airport in a taxi when she suffered a burst varicose vein which led to significant blood loss. The 48 year-old reached the airport but collapsed in the departure lounge. Tragically, despite receiving emergency treatment, she died at the scene on Tuesday July 22. Her daughter, Michelle Hilston, spoke to STV about how her mum had been working on her health so she could watch her granddaughters grow up. The 24 year old expressed: "My mum watched the grandkids at least two nights every week and always looked forward to them coming over. I'm heartbroken for my two girls who have just lost that special relationship with her. If there's one thing my mum loved, it was going on holiday, she thrived over there and this particular holiday to La Mata she just kept saying how amazing it was, it was her best holiday and she'd felt so well and couldn't wait to bring the grandkids over. Alicante international airport in Spain (Image: Getty Images) "She was due to go away with me and my two toddlers next month as well," reports the Mirror. Michelle also shared that her mother, who was from Blantyre in Lanarkshire, was an essential support while she was studying for her midwifery degree. She had sent her mum a video of her 11-month-old granddaughter taking her first steps, as reported by the Daily Record. Michelle recounted: "She helped me out so much to pursue my dream degree after having my kids and always made sure I had all the childcare and financial support I needed. Her holidays were a special thing for her, she went multiple times a year, and it was one of the things she loved doing the most. "But the thing she loved the most was her granddaughters and would ask for pictures of them multiple times a day. The day she died, I had sent her a video of my 11-month-old finally walking, and she was in tears over the video, phoning everyone to tell them, and I'm glad that's the last video she saw of the kids." A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stated: "We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in Spain." To help with the costs associated with Angela's repatriation and funeral expenses, a GoFundMe page has been established. Sign up to the Irish Mirror's Courts and Crime newsletter here and get breaking crime updates and news from the courts direct to your inbox.
