Just about six months ago SexFeed reported on some promising new methods of male birth control and one of those we mentioned is looking better after further study: a testicular zap with ultrasound.
The BBC reports that the method is being studied by University of North Carolina researchers who got a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and who found that two 15-minute doses of sound waves, especially if delivered through warm salt water, “significantly reduced” the number of sperm-producing cells and sperm levels.”
Quite a lot more reasearch is needed on this potential contraceptive method, mainly to find out if multiple doses are safe, to make sure it’s reversible (and doesn’t cause sterilization) and to make sure that when sperm production resumes the sperm isn’t damaged.
Newser reports that the ultrasound method was first tried out in the 1970s “when cancer patients due to have their testicles removed underwent the treatment and reported no pain, only a “gentle feeling of warmth.”
We get a gentle feeling of warmth just thinking about improvements in male contraception. Anyone else?
The BBC reports that the method is being studied by University of North Carolina researchers who got a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and who found that two 15-minute doses of sound waves, especially if delivered through warm salt water, “significantly reduced” the number of sperm-producing cells and sperm levels.”
Quite a lot more reasearch is needed on this potential contraceptive method, mainly to find out if multiple doses are safe, to make sure it’s reversible (and doesn’t cause sterilization) and to make sure that when sperm production resumes the sperm isn’t damaged.
Newser reports that the ultrasound method was first tried out in the 1970s “when cancer patients due to have their testicles removed underwent the treatment and reported no pain, only a “gentle feeling of warmth.”
We get a gentle feeling of warmth just thinking about improvements in male contraception. Anyone else?
I think this is pretty twisted. The risk of sterilization is WAY too major here. I can take a pill. He can wear a rubber. It's not that difficult. Why one earth are we wasting money using sonic waves on mens nut sacks just so we can take less responsibility for our reproductive habits?!
Because more options are better. Not all women can use hormonal birth control methods without horrible side effects.
And sorry, but not everyone can use rubbers. Some people are actually allergic. It's still responsibility, no matter which method you choose. You'd have to go in for this treatment, and it looks like the goal is for it not to be permanent. Which means more than one trip to the clinic to have this ultrasound done. Sounds like a responsibility to me.
I'm one of those women who can't use any form of hormonal birth control, and my man has extreme difficulty with condoms (and we've tried A LOT). We take the greatest care we can with our reproductive habits with the limited methods we have. As the article very clearly states, more research will be done to ensure this BC method has limited negative effects like sterilization. This isn't "wasting money" for irresponsible people; it's valid medical research to give both men and women more options for safer sex.