What is the Origin of Male Hormonal Contraception?

Research into male hormonal contraception began in the 1970s, with early trials focusing on testosterone monotherapy to suppress the pituitary. The principle is analogous to the mechanism of the female hormonal pill, which suppresses ovulation by overriding the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Subsequent research demonstrated that combining androgens with progestins significantly improved the speed and completeness of spermatogenesis suppression.

What is the Mechanism of Male Hormonal Contraception?

The contraceptive mechanism relies on the negative feedback principle of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Exogenous sex steroids suppress the pituitary's release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This suppression, particularly of FSH, causes a marked reduction in the high intratesticular testosterone concentration necessary for Sertoli cells to support sperm maturation, effectively halting spermatogenesis while the exogenous androgen maintains peripheral androgenic effects.

Male Hormonal Contraception ∞ Area

Male Hormonal Contraception

Meaning

Male hormonal contraception is a pharmacological strategy designed to provide a reversible, male-directed method of birth control by suppressing the production of viable sperm. This approach typically involves the exogenous administration of a combination of synthetic androgens and progestins to effectively interrupt the normal hormonal signals required for spermatogenesis. The goal is to induce azoospermia, or severe oligozoospermia, while maintaining adequate systemic testosterone levels for masculine traits and overall well-being.