There’s more than one way to contracept.
Male fertility can be reversibly inhibited through multiple approaches, and each target area could yield contraceptives with different characteristics. Male Contraceptive Initiative’s portfolio is diverse, targeting research in each area of study. Learn more below about how science is working towards male contraception.
Male Contraceptive Initiative focuses on supporting the development of non-hormonal male contraceptives as they are comparatively underfunded, despite offering a greater opportunity for innovation and methods that meet the needs of more users. MCI supports non-hormonal, early-stage research efforts, investing in the long-term to create an eventual menu of options for men and women that meet their lifestyle and individual needs. (For more information on the differences between hormonal and non-hormonal contraception, please visit our "Hormonal & Non-hormonal Contraception Primer" or see below for a brief overview of non-hormonal contraception and related terminology).
We believe that all methods of contraception are meaningful components of a continuum of reproductive care necessary to provide everyone with the autonomy to decide what’s best for them and when.
Male Contraceptive Initiative focuses on supporting the development of non-hormonal male contraceptives as they are comparatively underfunded, despite offering a greater opportunity for innovation and methods that meet the needs of more users. MCI supports non-hormonal, early-stage research efforts, investing in the long-term to create an eventual menu of options for men and women that meet their lifestyle and individual needs. (For more information on the differences between hormonal and non-hormonal contraception, please visit our "Hormonal & Non-hormonal Contraception Primer" or see below for a brief overview of non-hormonal contraception and related terminology).
We believe that all methods of contraception are meaningful components of a continuum of reproductive care necessary to provide everyone with the autonomy to decide what’s best for them and when.
Spermatogenesis
Targeting the creation & development of sperm |
Sperm Transport
Interrupting the transit of sperm out of the body |
Sperm Motility
Slowing sperm, preventing them from reaching their destination |
Fertilization
Preventing the interaction of sperm and egg |
More Info
Learn more about male contraceptive targets and related information |
What is non-hormonal contraception?
Contraceptives classified as “non-hormonal” are exactly that: methods that do not affect a person's hormones. Some common types on non-hormonal contraceptives include:
These methods tend to have fewer side effects (e.g., headaches, nausea, depression, yeast infections, reduced sexual desire, etc.) than their hormonal counterparts and are not negatively impacted by interactions with other medical therapies (e.g., antibiotics). However, some of these methods, such as withdrawal and the rhythm method, have low efficacy, and might not provide reliable contraception.
Non-hormonal pharmaceutical products are currently in development for both men and women. These products will allow users greater flexibility in delivery options (e.g. pills, injectables) similar to current hormonal contraceptive offerings, without the potential drawbacks associated with hormonal method use. These products are designed to prevent pregnancy using a more targeted approach, focusing on inhibiting the activity or developmental pathway of a specific cell (e.g. sperm cells). Due to the specific action of these products, the chance of “off-target” effects is reduced, ultimately resulting in few or no side-effects.
Male Contraceptive Initiative focuses specifically on the development of non-hormonal contraceptive options for men. We feel that the time is right to take advantage of new technological developments and provide reproductive autonomy for all in a form that is reliable, safe, and reversible.
Contraceptives classified as “non-hormonal” are exactly that: methods that do not affect a person's hormones. Some common types on non-hormonal contraceptives include:
- Barrier methods: medical devices that create a literal barrier that prevents sperm from reaching the uterus. These include condoms (the most common birth control method worldwide), diaphragms, and sponges.
- Copper Intrauterine Devices (IUDs): a small, often T-shaped birth control device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. (Please note that there are also hormonal IUDs).
- Outercourse: this refers to sexual acts where the penis doesn’t go into the vagina at all.
- Withdrawal: also known as the “pull out” method, this involves removing the penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation.
- Sterilization: there are two types of sterilization surgeries: tubal ligation, which blocks fallopian tubes to prevent an egg from reaching the uterus, and vasectomy, which involves sealing the tubes that carry sperm out of testes.
- Rhythm or Calendar Method: a form of natural family planning that relies on tracking menstrual history to predict ovulation to determine when conception is most likely.
These methods tend to have fewer side effects (e.g., headaches, nausea, depression, yeast infections, reduced sexual desire, etc.) than their hormonal counterparts and are not negatively impacted by interactions with other medical therapies (e.g., antibiotics). However, some of these methods, such as withdrawal and the rhythm method, have low efficacy, and might not provide reliable contraception.
Non-hormonal pharmaceutical products are currently in development for both men and women. These products will allow users greater flexibility in delivery options (e.g. pills, injectables) similar to current hormonal contraceptive offerings, without the potential drawbacks associated with hormonal method use. These products are designed to prevent pregnancy using a more targeted approach, focusing on inhibiting the activity or developmental pathway of a specific cell (e.g. sperm cells). Due to the specific action of these products, the chance of “off-target” effects is reduced, ultimately resulting in few or no side-effects.
Male Contraceptive Initiative focuses specifically on the development of non-hormonal contraceptive options for men. We feel that the time is right to take advantage of new technological developments and provide reproductive autonomy for all in a form that is reliable, safe, and reversible.
Nuts & Bolts: Hormonal vs. Non-hormonal Contraception
Helpful terminology:
Conception - the process of becoming pregnant involving fertilization or implantation or both.
Contraception - the deliberate use of artificial methods or other techniques to prevent pregnancy as a consequence of sexual intercourse.
Contraceptives - devices or drugs designed to prevent pregnancy.
Ejaculation - the action of ejecting semen from the body.
Endocrine System - a chemical messenger system consisting of hormones, the group of glands of an organism that secrete those hormones directly into the circulatory system to regulate the function of distant target organs, and the feedback loops which modulate hormone release so that homeostasis is maintained.
Estrogen - any of a group of steroid hormones which promote the development and maintenance of female characteristics of the body.
Hormone - a regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in tissue fluids such as blood or sap to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action.
Ovulation - the release of an egg during menstruation in females.
Progestogen/Progestin - a natural or synthetic steroid hormone, such as progesterone, that maintains pregnancy and prevents further ovulation during pregnancy.
Progesterone - a steroid hormone released by the corpus luteum that stimulates the uterus to prepare for pregnancy.
Conception - the process of becoming pregnant involving fertilization or implantation or both.
Contraception - the deliberate use of artificial methods or other techniques to prevent pregnancy as a consequence of sexual intercourse.
Contraceptives - devices or drugs designed to prevent pregnancy.
Ejaculation - the action of ejecting semen from the body.
Endocrine System - a chemical messenger system consisting of hormones, the group of glands of an organism that secrete those hormones directly into the circulatory system to regulate the function of distant target organs, and the feedback loops which modulate hormone release so that homeostasis is maintained.
Estrogen - any of a group of steroid hormones which promote the development and maintenance of female characteristics of the body.
Hormone - a regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in tissue fluids such as blood or sap to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action.
Ovulation - the release of an egg during menstruation in females.
Progestogen/Progestin - a natural or synthetic steroid hormone, such as progesterone, that maintains pregnancy and prevents further ovulation during pregnancy.
Progesterone - a steroid hormone released by the corpus luteum that stimulates the uterus to prepare for pregnancy.
For additional terms and definitions, please be sure to visit our Glossary page. If you're interested in learning more about male contraceptive targets, hormonal male contraception, or vasectomy, click here.