Acceptability of a combination testosterone gel and depomedroxyprogesterone acetate male contraceptive regimen.
BACKGROUND
Testosterone (T) gel, administered transdermally in combination with injections of depomedroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) every 3 months, results in effective suppression of spermatogenesis in 90% of men. Men's attitudes regarding the daily self-administration of T-gel and the impact of such a regimen on sexual function, however, are unknown. Therefore, we questioned subjects enrolled in a combination T-gel plus DMPA male contraceptive trial regarding the acceptability of T-gel for male contraception and the impact of the T-gel/DMPA regimen on sexual function and satisfaction during treatment.


METHODS
Thirty-eight healthy men, ages 18-55, were treated with T-gel (100 mg daily) + DMPA (300 mg every 3 months) for 24 weeks. Sexual function was assessed using a validated questionnaire at baseline, after 12 and 24 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks into recovery. The overall acceptability of the method and attitudes regarding the daily self-administration of T-gel were assessed by a questionnaire 12 weeks into recovery.


RESULTS
Fifty percent of subjects were either satisfied or very satisfied with the T-gel-based contraceptive regimen, and 45% indicated they would use the regimen if it were commercially available. The T-gel was found to be easy to use by 76% of men, but a third of subjects felt that T-gel administration interfered with their daily routine. Sexual function was largely preserved during treatment; however, slight decreases in sexual function were noted during recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
The experimental male hormonal contraceptive regimen of T-gel + DMPA is acceptable to approximately one half of study volunteers, most of whom would use the method if it were commercially available. Given its appeal to a significant proportion of men, additional studies using T-gel and DMPA for male contraception are warranted.
Amory
John K
JK
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Box 326429, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Page
Stephanie T
ST
Anawalt
Bradley D
BD
Matsumoto
Alvin M
AM
Bremner
William J
WJ
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D003075:Coitus / Q000502:physiology; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013076:Sperm Count; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000728:Androgens; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013739:Testosterone; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate