Latest news with #birthcontrol
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Breakthrough for MALE birth control pill: Experimental hormone–free tablet passes its first safety test in men
For decades, the responsibility of taking a birth control pill has been placed firmly on the shoulders of women. But that could soon change – as an experimental pill for men that works by blocking sperm production has just passed its first safety test in humans. The hormone–free contraceptive tablet, called YCT–529, has already been found to prevent 99 per cent of pregnancies during experiments in mice. It works by blocking access to vitamin A in the testes, preventing sperm production without affecting testosterone levels – meaning libido is not impacted. The male pill, which experts hope will be available this decade, is the only one currently being tested in humans. For the latest trial, researchers recruited 16 men who were put on different doses of the pill across several days. Instead of testing how effective it was in humans – all of the men had undergone vasectomies – the aim was to discover if there were any side–effects. Analysis revealed there were no concerning changes in heart rate, hormone function, inflammation, mood or sexual function. Next, the team will test the pill in larger trials that will look at how effective it is in preventing sperm production in humans. The results of the safety trial, published in the journal Communications Medicine, are a critical first step toward getting the pill approved, experts said. 'We really need more reversible contraceptive methods for men,' Dr Stephanie Page, an endocrinologist at the University of Washington School of Medicine and who wasn't involved in the study, told Scientific American. Currently, the other male birth control options are vasectomies – a surgical procedure that involves cutting and sealing the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles – or condoms. Vasectomies, also known as 'the snip', can be reversed but the success rate of reversal procedures vary widely. Earlier tests in male primates also found the drug lowered sperm counts within just two weeks. Crucially, both mice and non–human primates fully regained fertility after stopping the drug and no side effects were detected in either species. Mice regained fertility within six weeks, while non–human primates fully recovered their sperm count in 10 to 15 weeks. How does it work? Researchers have understood for decades that vitamin A is essential for male fertility. YCT–529 is a retinoic acid receptor–alpha (RAR–a) inhibitor that prevents production of sperm cells in the testes as well as their release. It does this by blocking RAR–alpha – one of three nuclear receptors that bind retinoic acid, a form of vitamin A. YCT–529 is being worked on as part of a collaboration between University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, Columbia University in New York and San Francisco–based firm YourChoice Therapeutics. 'A safe and effective male pill will provide more options to couples for birth control,' Gunda Georg, chemist and pharmacist at the University of Minnesota, said earlier this year. 'It will allow a more equitable sharing of responsibility for family planning and provide reproductive autonomy for men.' Both the animal studies and the human trial results suggest that the approved pill would likely be taken once a day, but further trials will confirm that dosing. '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 wrote in their paper, published in the journal Communications Medicine. Currently, around a quarter of women who use contraception take an oral birth control pill, but there are no equivalent methods available for men. If the male pill proves to be as effective in humans as it is in mice, it would be on a par with the female birth control medication. Lead author and YourChoice Therapeutics' Chief Science Officer Nadja Mannowetz said: 'A peer–reviewed publication for our first–in–human study reinforces YCT–529's strong safety profile. 'It also shows "the Pill for men" had no effect on sexual desire or mood.' Nearly half of all pregnancies globally are unintended, suggesting an urgent need for more male contraceptive options. There is also high demand for new methods. A recent study showed men are very interested in using new male contraceptive options and women are confident they'll take them correctly. 'Studies and surveys continue to show that men want to share the burden of pregnancy prevention with their partners,' Akash Bakshi, CEO of YourChoice Therapeutics, said. 'But they have just one non–permanent contraceptive option—condoms—and it's 170 years old. Innovation is long overdue. 'Data show men favour an oral contraceptive and one that's hormone–free, positioning YCT–529 as potentially transformative for a healthcare segment that's been stagnant for more than a century and a half.' Women have several birth control options available including short–term rapid methods like birth control pills and patches and a contraceptive cap or diaphragm. They also have long–term options such as implants, which produce hormones that stop the release of an egg. Some opt for an intrauterine device – a T–shaped device placed into the uterus to prevent an egg from implanting. The birth control pill or patches are about 93 per cent effective at preventing pregnancies. However long–term devices like the intrauterine device are more than 99 per cent effective. There have been few changes in male contraception compared with the range of options available to women. Although there's ongoing research into a male contraceptive pill, there is not one available yet. At the moment, the 2 contraceptive methods available to men are: Condoms – a barrier form of contraception that stops sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg Vasectomy – a minor, usually permanent, surgical procedure that stops sperm from reaching the semen ejaculated from the penis The withdrawal method of taking your penis out of your partner's vagina before ejaculating is not a method of contraception. This is because sperm can be released before ejaculation and cause pregnancy.
CBS News
6 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Rat birth control pilot program coming to Chicago's North Side
A rat birth control program is coming to Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. On Thursday, 43rd Ward Alderperson Timmy Knudsen introduced a resolution for the privately funded "Rat Contraceptive Pilot," which uses non-toxic contraceptive pellets to reduce the rat population. This resolution was announced in partnership with the Chicago Bird Alliance, Lincoln Park Zoo, the Lincoln Park Conservancy, and the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. "Chicago's current use of rat poison is not effectively reducing the targeted population," Ald. Knudsen said. "More than that, rat poison has been determined as the cause of death of natural wildlife, including horned owls in the 43rd Ward." Test results last year revealed Lincoln Park's beloved great horned owls died after exposure to rodenticide, or rat poison. The Chicago Bird Alliance passed a policy calling for reducing the use of anticoagulant rodenticides. The group continues to advocate for local birds impacted by rat poisoning. The new pilot program will start later this summer, officials confirmed. Back in April, the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce announced a similar program where bait boxes with rat birth control were installed in alleys behind several major thoroughfares in the neighborhoods. In 2024, Chicago was named the rattiest city in America by Orkin for the 10th year in a row. Los Angeles was ranked the second rattiest city in the nation, with New York coming in third. This effort is separate from the City of Chicago's rodent control program. In 2017, the city tried a rat birth control pilot program on the South Side. City officials did not respond to a request on information on what happened with that program.
Health Line
10-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
How Is an Intrauterine Device (IUD) Removed?
For many people, having an IUD removed is a quick procedure performed in a doctor's office. But if the IUD has attached to your uterine wall, it may require a more involved removal. An IUD is a small, T-shaped device that's inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It's one of the most effective forms of reversible birth control, with fewer than 1 in 100 people becoming pregnant each year. What is an IUD? There are two types of IUDs: copper and hormonal. In the United States, the copper IUD is known as ParaGard. This T-shaped device contains a stem wrapped with copper wire and two copper sleeves. These parts release copper into the uterus for up to 10 years, preventing sperm from reaching the egg. Hormonal IUDs release progestin into the uterus, thickening cervical mucus to block sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg. The hormone can also prevent eggs from being released and thin the uterine lining to prevent implantation. There are four different hormonal IUDs. Mirena and Liletta last the longest (up to 8 years). Kyleena works for up to 5 years, and Skyla works for up to 3 years. Removing an IUD A healthcare professional can remove your IUD at any time. You may consider removing it because: You're trying to get pregnant. You've had it for the maximum amount of time recommended, and it needs to be replaced. You're experiencing prolonged discomfort or other undesirable side effects. You no longer need this method of birth control. For most people, the removal of an IUD is a simple procedure performed in a doctor's office. To remove the IUD, your healthcare professional will grasp the threads of the IUD with ring forceps. In most cases, the arms of the IUD will collapse upward, and the device will slide out. If the IUD doesn't come out with a slight pull, your healthcare professional will remove the device using another method. You may need a hysteroscopy to remove the IUD if it has attached to your uterine wall. During this procedure, a doctor or other healthcare professional widens your cervix to insert a hysteroscope. The hysteroscope allows small instruments to enter your uterus. You may require anesthesia for this procedure. It can take between five minutes to an hour to complete a hysteroscopy. Recent research also indicates that an ultrasound-guided removal is an effective way to take out an IUD that won't come out with forceps. This procedure can be less invasive than a hysteroscopy and more cost-effective. Living with an IUD Once you have an IUD placed, you're protected against pregnancy for three to 10 years. The duration that your IUD protects against pregnancy depends on the type of IUD that you choose. You'll have a follow-up appointment about a month after the IUD is inserted. During this appointment, your healthcare professional will make sure the IUD stays in place and hasn't caused an infection. You should also confirm that your IUD remains in place on a monthly basis. After insertion, its strings will hang down into your vaginal canal. You can verify that the IUD is still in place by checking for these strings. You shouldn't be able to touch the IUD. You should contact a healthcare professional if: you have unusual bleeding penetration is painful you can feel other parts of the IUD in your cervix or vagina If you have a copper IUD, you may experience heavier periods accompanied by menstrual cramping. This is usually temporary. Many people find that their cycles regulate two to three months after insertion. If you have a hormonal IUD, you may find that your period is lighter or disappears. Other side effects can include: pelvic pain foul-smelling discharge abdominal pain unexplained fever headaches or migraine IUDs don't protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so it's important to use a barrier method.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
People Are Confessing Their Wildest One-Night Stand Stories, And I Was NOT Ready For My Mind To Be Blown Like This
We recently asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us their most shocking hookup stories, and I was not prepared for what I read. Here are the most surprising ones: 1."I met this bartender on vacation. He asked me to meet him at a hotel the next night. He had a whole shaving kit and asked if he could completely shave me down there. The worst part is, I said yes! Strangest foreplay ever!" —Anonymous 2."I met a guy at a bar who was visiting friends from England and ended up going back to his friend's apartment. We were just starting to fool around when the bedroom door flew open, and his friends started flipping out. Turned out they were all studying to be Anglican priests, and the apartment was actually in a house connected to the church, and the priest lived on the first floor. I quickly dressed and tried to leave but you couldn't open the gate without a fob, so I was forced to walk back in to get them to let me out." —Anonymous 3."I hooked up with a woman in a bar, and we made out on the dance floor and in the car. She took me home, but her mother was there. It was a one-bedroom apartment. Her mom was in the bedroom, and when we sat on the sofa bed, her mom came out in her nightgown and reminded her that she still hadn't paid for her birth control prescription. She told me I reminded her of the sports guy on a local newscast and asked me if I had an older brother. She asked me if I was 'squeamish' about her being in the next room while I had sex with her daughter. I suddenly 'remembered' I had to get home to feed the cat and GTFO." —i_before_a_except_after_j 4."As we got going in the act, I felt a funny feeling in my belly, and then I proceeded to shart on the bed. I grabbed my clothes and ran like hell out the door, and never contacted him again." —Anonymous 5."I asked him to get some lube and he rummaged around in the bathroom and came back with NAIL POLISH REMOVER. I laughed so hard I nearly threw up and told him to go home." —musictchr 6."I was picked up at a bar in Germany by a hot blonde German woman. I went home with her, and my buddy went home with her friend. They dropped us off at my woman's place. After an exhausting night of doing everything we could think of, I left her bedroom to take a shower, and lining her hallway were pictures of her American husband and three kids! Oops!" —icylatte763 7."I went back to my hotel room with a woman I had just met at the bar. We were having sex, and she told me she wanted to have my baby. I pretended to finish and went to sleep." —Anonymous 8."I was introduced to a nice lady by some friends. We had a nice evening out, and I ended up staying at her place for the night. I was woken up by her son, who I wasn't aware existed, and he proceeded to ask if I was his new daddy. I left as fast as I could." —Anonymous 9."When I was in the professional baseball minor league, traveling to an away town, I met a pretty lady outside in a motel hallway who invited me to her room. She had a horse saddle on the bed which she wanted to have sex on! We had a great time. Early next morning, there was a loud commotion in the hallway; it was the police and the FBI arresting the pretty lady as a multi-state bank robber!" —Anonymous 10."I met a woman in a bar one night, and we immediately went back to her best friend's place and started hooking up. The following day, as I'm saying goodbye, her best friend asked, 'Did she tell you that her husband is a minister?' I almost crapped myself. Then I said, 'Oh my god! I'm going to hell.'' —Anonymous 11."I was in college and met a woman while I was studying at a coffee shop. It was the middle of the day on a weekday. We talked a bit, and she invited me to follow her to her place. I had never done anything like this before, but she was cute, so I agreed. I followed her to McMansion, and when we got inside, she immediately started things. Just as it was time to get to it, she begged me not to wear protection or pull out. I just said no, and she stopped it. As I was leaving, her wife walked out and told me that they just needed my sperm." —Anonymous 12."I met a woman at a coworker's party. She lived a few doors down from them and asked me to walk her home. She invited me in. Her big house was totally empty of furniture, which I thought was weird. I should have left, but I went with it. We were mid-coitus when a 2 or 3-year-old kid walked in with a full, smelly diaper. Found out from a co-worker that she was in the middle of a terrible divorce and that she must have left the kid home alone for the hour or so she was at the party." —Anonymous 13."I was about 35 and was on a business trip in New York. One night after my conference, I went to a local bar, and it was pretty empty, so I sat at the bar. Not long after that, this really attractive 65ish year old woman sits at the other end of the bar. She bought me a drink, so I returned the favor and sat by her and bought her one. After a few drinks and conversation, she asked if I'd ever done a Sportsman Double. I told her no, and she explained it was a mother/daughter threesome. I was intrigued and buzzed. I figured she was hot, and her daughter was probably too, so I took her up on her offer. We got back to her place and told me to wait in the living room. She walked down the hall and knocked on a bedroom door, opened it, and yelled MOM I GOT ONE!!" —Anonymous 14."Back in '94, on a second date after fooling around a little, I declined going further, citing my period. The next thing I knew, he turned in his seat, faced away from me with his feet on the ground. Then he pulled his jacket kinda up around his hunched-over position. First, I had zero clue what he was doing. Is he cold? Gonna puke? Next, he is bobbing his head into his lap. The freaking dude was going down on himself." —Anonymous 15."A friend of mine told me a girl projectile vomited during the act while in doggie position." —doe3507966 16."I was maybe 21, and my friends wanted to have a fun girls' night, so we went to this bar. I saw this man who is maybe 30ish years old, and he made eye contact with me. I walked up to him in my sort of drunk state and started to flirt. Flash forward, we were in the bathroom hooking up when his WIFE walks in looking for him. They had gone to the bar for their 5-year anniversary." —Anonymous 17."On Halloween, I went home with a guy, and ended up going down on him in his back seat. I woke up with him in my bed the next morning, got up, and went to work and ghosted him. About a week later, I went to an event for my parents' company; it turned out that the guy was my parents' coworker's son." —Anonymous 18."I once went to a guy's place, and his choice of background ambiance was an episode of Hoarders. I tried my best not to get distracted or disgusted by what was being shown on the TV, including multiple dead cats in a freezer, while we were doing stuff. About halfway through, I noticed small bloodstains on the sheets. He apologized and explained they were from the guy he had over the night before. Back acne. I couldn't get out of there fast enough." —Anonymous 19."I met someone on a dating app and after we finished hooking up, she asked if I needed to poop. I told her I didn't and asked her why she said that, and she said it was because she really wanted to wipe my butt. I couldn't have gotten out of there any faster." —Anonymous 20."I had a friend who went to a bar and met a woman. They were both drunk and ended up in bed together at her home, and after hooking up, she passed out, and he needed to use the restroom #2. He didn't know where the bathroom was, and being extremely drunk, he found the kitchen trash can, did his 'business,' wiped with a dish towel, got dressed, and left." —Anonymous 21."I hooked up with a guy on campus when I was 19 and in college. We had spent a couple of evenings hanging out before he came to my dorm room. There, we ended up hooking up after watching a movie. After we finished, the man CRIED. Like, literally bawling his eyes out. I couldn't believe it. So I told him to get up and move on." —Anonymous 22."One time, this guy and I went to a hotel room to hook up. After we did, he started crying about how he missed his best friend and the dude she's dating is a major red flag and not right for her." —Anonymous 23."I was incredibly drunk, of course. Right in the middle of it, he kisses me, and I begin puking in his mouth. I finished losing my drink over the side of his mom's bed. That's not all, I was so polite I rolled back over and asked if he wanted to finish." —Anonymous 24."I met this woman at a bar and went home with her. We got busy, and I found myself behind her doing it doggie style. She then ripped the biggest fart ever. The stench immediately hit me in the throat. I laughed so hard I got dressed and left. Totally gross!!!" —Anonymous 25."I was going down on a guy who had just graduated from the Naval Academy, and was quite drunk from celebrating. After what felt like eternity, he finished, and I sneezed at the same time. ALL of it, combined, came out of my nose onto his groin." —Anonymous 26."At a beach party, I met a dark, beautiful, very drunk woman, and we hit it off just great. She remarked that there are no real men there; let's go back to her place. On the car ride, she was going down on me. When we got to her place, she opened the front door, and there was a guy sleeping on her couch. It's her 17-year-old son. She wakes him up, and he goes to his room. I noped outta there so fast." —icymug343 finally, "I went out with a friend, her husband, and a bunch of his friends. I ended up taking one of the guys home with me. A few of the people in our group got into a fight, and a bike cop pepper-sprayed them. I didn't realize the guy I brought home had gotten mildly sprayed on his face, which he also touched with his hands. He wasn't involved in the fight but was trying to pull people from our group out of the tussle. Needless to say, I ended up sitting him in my bathtub in cold water, and after I dropped him off back on the base the next morning, we never spoke again." —awfulhouse65 What's your most shocking hookup story? Let us know in the comments or use the anonymous form below. Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Khaleej Times
08-07-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
'Will it make me less of a man?': Vasectomy in UAE remains a stigma, say doctors
Although vasectomy is widely regarded around the world as a simple, safe, and long-term method of birth control, it remains one of the most misunderstood procedures in the UAE. Misconceptions tied to masculinity, reversibility, and sexual function have kept interest low — even as more men are quietly discussing it in online spaces and behind closed doors. Take Karim (name withheld upon request), a 34-year-old Abu Dhabi resident who first explored the option in 2019. His inquiry at a local clinic was met with confusion. 'The receptionist told me, 'We don't do that here. It's illegal in the UAE,'' he recalled. 'But I knew it wasn't, I had already researched it online.' Determined, Karim continued searching until he found a private provider offering a non-scalpel vasectomy. The entire procedure took less than 30 minutes and caused minimal discomfort. Yet, what lingered wasn't the physical pain — it was the stigma. 'Even the doctor asked me if my wife (had) agreed. I had to assure him it wasn't a midlife crisis," he said. Karim explained that the decision was not impulsive — it was a deeply considered, mutual decision. 'My wife has a chronic medical condition that makes pregnancy risky. We both knew early on we didn't want to take that chance, and I didn't want her to go through years of hormonal birth control just because I was afraid of a simple procedure.' Low awareness Despite being proven as one of the most effective and affordable long-term contraception methods for men, vasectomy uptake in the Middle East remains limited. A 2021 study published in Urology Annals revealed that only 13 per cent of men in a Middle Eastern sample had even heard of the procedure. Just 0.4 per cent had undergone the procedure. Researchers pointed to religious beliefs, social pressure, and poor public health awareness as key barriers. 'There are massive misconceptions,' said Dr Hossam Zeitoun, a consultant urologist based in Abu Dhabi. 'The most common fears are about impotence, testosterone loss, or being less of a man. None of these are true, but they're deeply ingrained.' What a vasectomy really involves A vasectomy is a minor operation that involves cutting or blocking the vas deferens — the tubes that carry sperm — thereby preventing pregnancy. The non-scalpel version, widely used today, requires just a small puncture rather than stitches, with patients typically recovering within 48 hours. 'It has no impact on hormones or sexual performance,' Dr Zeitoun emphasised. 'Men will still produce semen; it simply won't contain sperm. But many still don't understand that." Financial and systemic barriers Beyond misinformation and misconceptions, a lack of financial and institutional support also discourages men from considering the procedure. While the procedure is legally allowed in the UAE, it is rarely covered by private health insurance. 'Costs typically range from Dh4,000 to Dh10,000,' said Dr Mohammed Arif, a Dubai-based urologist. 'It's considered an elective procedure, so most patients end up paying out of pocket.' Adding to the challenge is a lack of national education or public health campaigns promoting male sterilisation — unlike the global efforts around female contraceptives. A conversation still behind closed doors With little open dialogue in mainstream settings in the UAE, many men — especially expats — turn to anonymous platforms like Reddit or private Facebook groups to seek information or anonymously share personal experiences. 'Some patients come in already informed, others ask things like 'Will I lose my sex drive?' or 'Will people know?'' said Dr Arif. 'That shows you how private and misunderstood this still is.' Karim said that even now, he hasn't told most of his family or friends about the procedure. 'We didn't want kids, and that's our decision. But I don't want to spend time explaining that I'm not broken or selfish. It's just personal.'
