Potential impact of hormonal male contraception: cross-cultural implications for development of novel preparations

Abstract

The prospect of a hormonal male contraceptive is no longer distant. Data on the potential impact of this improvement in contraceptive provision, however, is limited, particularly between different cultures. We have therefore carried out a multi-centre study to assess men's attitudes to proposed novel hormonal methods. Questionnaire-based structured interviews were administered to men in Edinburgh, Cape Town, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Approximately 450 men were interviewed in Edinburgh, Shanghai and Hong Kong, and a slightly larger group (n = 493) in Cape Town to give samples (n > 150) of black, coloured and white men. Knowledge of existing male and female methods of contraception was high in all centres and groups. The majority of men welcomed a new hormonal method of contraception, 44-83% stating that they would use a male contraceptive pill. Overall, a pill was more acceptable than an injectable form (most popularly given at 3-6 month intervals); long-acting implants were least so except in Shanghai. Familiarity with comparable female methods appeared to influence acceptability, for both oral and injectable methods. Hong Kong was the only centre where a male method (condom) was currently the most commonly used; men there appeared to rate the convenience of condoms highly while being least likely to think that they provided effective protection against pregnancy compared to other centres, and were least enthusiastic about novel male methods. The acceptability of potential male hormonal methods of contraception was high in some groups but showed wide variability, determining factors including cultural background and current contraceptive usage. These results suggest that the emerging emphasis that men should have greater involvement in family planning will be substantiated when appropriate contraceptive methods become available.

Genetic male infertility and mutation of CATSPER ion channels

“…37 Most importantly for the potential implementation of a male contraceptive, studies have shown that men would be willing to use one if it were available. 38 CATSPER immunocontraception. Several properties of the CATSPER channel make it an attractive target for development of a male contraceptive.…”

Does ethnicity matter in male hormonal contraceptive efficacy?

“…For example, in Hong Kong over 60% of men were using condoms whereas in Shanghai, intrauterine devices were the most common method and only one couple was relying on female hormonal method. 23 In an accompanying survey of the female partners (1894 women in same centers: Edinburgh, Cape Town, Hong Kong and Shanghai), responses remarkably similar to men were obtained. Twenty-nine percent of women in Hong Kong and 13% of women in Shanghai were negative or unsure about the effectiveness of male hormonal contraceptives compared with 7 and 6% of female partners in Cape Town and Edinburgh, respectively.…”

“…22 In a cross-cultural survey of 1829 white, colored, black, East Asian and other men in Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Cape Town, South Africa; Shanghai and Hong Kong, China, supported by the UK government, the majority welcomed a new male hormonal method and 44-83% stated that they would use an oral form of male hormonal contraception. 23 There were significant differences in perceived contraceptive efficacy, convenience, and change in sexual satisfaction and masculinity among the different ethnic groups. Only 36-38% of men in Hong Kong felt that male hormonal contraceptive would be effective for pregnancy prevention.…”

Metabolic Cooperation in Testis as a Pharmacological Target: From Disease to Contraception

“…Unfortunately, although contraceptive pills for women have been available for decades, the same does not happen in the case of men. Several reports have highlighted that men would be willing to be actively involved in family planning and use chemical contraceptives [119,120]. Besides, women in stable relationships have also been reported to be willing to rely in their partner to use a contraceptive [121].…”