Uganda welcomes newly tested male birth control pill

Uganda warmly welcomes male birth control pill! A male family planning pill, which passed the initial human safety tests in a study, has excited Ugandans. This is a major step taken by the country as it is dealing with its rapidly growing populations.

Earlier this week, a group of scientists revealed at a medical conference in Seattle in the United States that they had developed a capsule that can suppress hormonal levels, which will reduce the production of testosterone and sperm, thereby reducing the natural process of spermatogenesis.

“The goal is to expand contraceptive options and create a menu of choices for men like we have for women. We are neglecting a major potential user population with the limited options currently available to men,” Stephanie Page, a professor of medicine and co-senior investigator on the trial at the University of Washington said. He was quoted by The Guardian.

Another researcher, Christina Wang was quoted by BBC saying, “Our results suggest that this pill, which combines two hormonal activities in one, will decrease sperm production while preserving libido.” The president of Uganda Medical Association, Ekwaro Obuku opined that it’s a good news and obviously another option to the processes of controlling birth. “This pill expands options for planned parenting and diminishes the risk of side effects common in existing methods,” Obuku said, The Citizen noted.

Currently, usage of the condom, surgical process like vasectomy, withdrawal during ejaculation or abstinence are the methods available for men. Thus, this new discovery is ‘brilliant’, said a renowned social worker, Esther Namitala. “It will speak to men who are hesitant or scared to go for the permanent method [vasectomy]. However, knowing most men’s egos, it will require a lot of sensitisation for them to embrace the pills,” she added.

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