title: Trends in male contraception.
abstract: Methods that are available for male contraception, namely coitus interruptus, condoms, and vasectomy, have been used since the 19th century. With the exceptions of a few improvements of these methods, no major progress has been made with respect to introducing new male contraceptives since then. It is extremely urgent to develop new, safe, effective, and reversible male contraceptive methods. Among all male contraceptive methods that are being investigated, the hormonal approach is the closest to clinical application. Hormonal contraception provides pregnancy protection by means of spermatogenic suppression. Androgen-progestin regimens currently represent the best available hormonal combination for induction of a profound suppression of spermatogenesis. Further development of new steroids is mandatory for increasing the choices of available contraceptive formulations and to optimize long-term safety of these regimens.
authors.affiliation: Urology Department, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fábio Firmbach
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Pasqualotto
authors.forename: Antônio Marmo
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lucon
authors.forename: Eleonora Bedin
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Pasqualotto
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arap
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D003275:Contraceptive Devices, Male; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D013739:Testosterone