The male contraceptive gel could be an easier and more effective alternative to the pill. Couples in Edinburgh and Manchester are taking part in a clinical trial, testing out a new contraceptive gel for men. They have to use the gel as their main form of contraception for 12 months. A couple in their 20s who are involved in the trial spoke to the BBC about their experience so far.
A said he's been using the gel since February, and has experienced very few side effects so far — a bit of acne on his back and about 1kg of weight gain. It takes 12 weeks of using the gel for a man's sperm count to go all the way down, and another 12 weeks for it to go back up again, so it could be significantly even more reliable than the female contraceptive pill, which can be ineffective if you miss just one day. Since 2017, scientists have been discussing the possibility of a contraceptive gel for men,…
