UK men to test hormone-free male contraceptive pill

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By Ella Pickover, PA

A group of British men are the first in the world to test a new hormone-free male contraceptive pill.

Scientists hope that if the tests are successful, the daily pill could broaden shared responsibility for contraception between the sexes.

Men can currently only use condoms or have a vasectomy while there are a vast array of contraceptives for women including the pill, the coil, a contraceptive injection and use of diaphragms or female condoms, among other options.

The new male pill is a hormone-free drug, unlike the female pill.

The pill, YCT-529, is a drug called a retinoic acid receptor-alpha inhibitor, which prevents sperm production by blocking access to vitamin A.

Previous studies dating back more than 90 years have shown that depriving mice, rats and monkeys of vitamin A can cause infertility.

Experts from YourChoice Therapeutics said that pre-clinical studies showed YCT-529 was “99% effective and 100% reversible with no side effects”.