Fertility Friday | Fertility Awareness Mastery for Women's Health Professionals · Lisa Hendrickson-Jack, FAE, HRHP

Is A New Male Contraceptive On The Horizon? | FAMM Research Series

·29 min·2 clips

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack asks why men lack hormonal contraceptives after 60 years for women, hinting at a medical double standard.

This episode of the Fertility Friday podcast, hosted by fertility awareness educator Lisa Hendrickson-Jack, examines the stalled development of hormonal contraceptives for men. Hendrickson-Jack analyzes a scientific paper to explore the reasons behind this lack of medical advancement. She frames the issue as a potential double standard in pharmaceutical research and safety concerns between genders. The host notes that men's current contraceptive options are essentially limited to condoms, withdrawal, and vasectomy. She questions why hormonal options for men have not emerged in over 60 years since the female pill was introduced. The discussion centers on the specific challenges cited for developing a male hormonal contraceptive. These challenges include achieving effective and reliable sperm suppression. Another cited hurdle is ensuring the reversibility of the contraceptive effect after men stop treatment. A significant portion of the episode dissects the perceived heightened concern over side effects in men during clinical trials. The host contrasts this with the historical acceptance of side effects from female hormonal contraceptives. She references the specific drug formulations and delivery methods tested in male contraceptive research. The paper likely details clinical trials involving injections or implants for men. The argument presented is that trial discontinuation often occurs due to reported side effects like mood changes or acne. A compelling insight is the suggestion that the medical system applies different risk-benefit analyses based on gender. The episode implies that side effects considered unacceptable for men were deemed acceptable for women. The host points out that men in trials are healthy volunteers, not patients seeking treatment for a condition. This contrasts with women taking birth control pills, which are sometimes prescribed for other health issues. The discussion questions whether this difference in patient population influences the tolerance for adverse effects. The tone is educational and analytical, grounded in a review of scientific literature. The style is conversational and advocacy-oriented, presenting a clear critique of the research landscape. This episode would appeal to listeners interested in reproductive health equity, feminist perspectives on medicine, and the science of contraception. Those seeking a purely technical discussion of drug development mechanisms might find the critical social commentary less engaging.

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