In Papua Island, Indonesia, tribesmen have discovered a shrub called “Gandarusa” that acts like a birth control pill. Potential benefits derived from this diverse range of flora are constantly undergoing study. Now, they have already discovered this amazing invention with positive consequences.

As one man from the tribe has said, “if you chew its leaves often enough, your wife won´t get pregnant.”

Indonesian scientists are analyzing the plant’s composition at the lab because if this is true, and effective, it will probably be sold in stores early next year.

The gandarusa pill works is by slowing down the activity of certain enzymes in the sperm that help them wriggle into a female’s ovum.

A recent study by the U.S. government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that more than 80 percent of women who have had sex with a man used birth control pills at some point. A male birth control pill could eat into this massive market, and because other options already existed (condoms and vasectomies) the male birth control pill would need to sell for a relatively cheap price.

Now is definitely man´s turn. Women have had the option of a safe, effective and reversible form of contraception since the development of the female oral contraceptive pill in the 1960s.

However, this is not something new; science has been trying to find something for men to prevent pregnancy for decades.  Malecontraceptives.org offers many options. It is an organization whose mission is to “speed the development of safe, effective and convenient contraceptives for men.” Here are a few of the options listed at malecontraceptives.org:

• Hormonal pills, implants, and/or shots. These methods would work by using male hormones to stop sperm production. They are similar in theory to female hormonal contraception.

 

• “Heat” methods. Have you heard that tighty-whitey’s can lower a man’s sperm count? Well, there’s something to the idea that heat reduces fertility…. Heat methods would allow men to systematically bathe their boys in heat (most likely water baths) to diminish sperm production.

 

• Non-hormonal pills. Certain pill-based drugs may limit sperm production and/or ejaculation in a variety of ways. One is nicknamed the ‘dry orgasm’ pill, which, as unappetizing as the name sounds, is simply a way to alter muscular contractions in the penis so that sperm does not enter the semen.

 

• Vas deferens-blocking methods. These methods are basically a temporary version of a vasectomy. They work by plugging the Vas deferens so that sperm cannot enter the semen. However, unlike vasectomies, they are reversible.

As a result some men have already shown their opinion against this new scientific advance. “I would rather rely on a solution that doesn’t involving medicating myself and the problems women have had with hormone therapy doesn’t make me anxious to want to sign on to taking a hormone-type therapy,” says Hardin, who is single and a college administrator.

This is not going to be easy for men because they are not used to this, but who said that it was for women. The product is expected to be on the market in early 2012.

Share This

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

About the author

Lydia Cerrada
As a Journalist I have been given the opportunity to explore the world and what it has to offer. Traveling has become my passion; I get to learn by getting involved in all kind of experiences. There is no challenge that I will turn down. As long as you face life with a positive attitude there’ll be no limits, just be persistent ;) If you want to know more about me just follow me on Twitter @Skapy4