Birth control is so commonplace for some collegiettes that we often joke about it, poking fun at TV characters like Mindy from The MindyProject, who forgets to take her pills until her assistant sneaks them into her coffee. Not so for men, whose birth control options are generally limited to condoms and vasectomies - one of which isn't entirely effective, and the other of which is irreversible. Now, it looks like the tides may be turning.
If Vasalgel, created by The Parsemus Foundation, successfully passes its trials, it will be released in 2017 as the first male contraceptive that doesn't involve condoms or vasectomies. The age of women being the only ones to worry about taking their birth control may be coming to an end.
Vasalgel is a reversible, one-time procedure that involves injecting a polymer into the vans deferens, which will block the flow of sperm, according to The Daily Beast. The polymer acts as a plug and physical barrier just as a condom would, but it’s a lot more convenient! It can be flushed out later on with a second injection, making the process simple and effective. Plus, it's non-hormonal, meaning it won't give guys any "time of the month"-type mood swings.
Although researchers are not yet 100 percent certain about its effectiveness, since they’ve only tested on baboons so far (successfully!), they plan to run human trials starting next year. According to Bustle, the process will cost less than $800, and since it’s so effective, many people spectulate that it will significantly disrupt the currently booming market for female contraception. One thing is certain: if Vasalgel is ultimately successful, it will completely transform the way we think and talk about contraception and gender issues. What will the world be like when both men and women can control their own fertility?
What do you think of this male birth control, collegiettes? Share your thoughts in the comments!