The potential of mild testicular heating as a safe, effective and reversible contraceptive method for men.
A preliminary assessment of the contraceptive efficacy of a daily mild increase (1-2 degrees C) in testicular temperature during waking hours is reported in nine couples using two techniques of non-surgical fixation of the testes close to the inguinal canal. With technique 1, immobilization was achieved by passing the penis and the empty scrotum through a hole made in close-fitting underwear; there was one pregnancy, from a man who stopped the heating after 7 weeks, for 42 cycles of exposure in three couples. With technique 2, immobilization was achieved by adding a ring of soft material surrounding the hole in the underwear; there was no pregnancy for 117 cycles of exposure in six couples. Reversibility and safety were assessed. These preliminary results suggest that a daily mild increase in testicular temperature could be a potential contraceptive method for men.
Mieusset
R
R
Centre de Stérilité Masculine, Hôpital La Grave, Toulouse, France.
Bujan
L
L
D000328:Adult; D003275:Contraceptive Devices, Male; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis