KANSAS CITY, KS (KCTV) -
Women have been taking a daily pill to prevent pregnancy for decades. Now it could be the man's turn.
Researchers in Kansas are closer to developing the male birth control pill.
A research group at the University of Kansas Medical Center received the news Monday that they will be funded for the next five years to bring the male birth control pill even closer to reality.
"Not only is it non-hormonal, but it doesn't effect the circulating hormones of the man that is taking it," said Dr. Joseph Tash with the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Tash has been working on the compound for a male birth control pill for more than a decade, but the thought of the idea exceeds more than 40 years.
"We've been working on this since about 2001 when we got our first contract with the National Institutes of Health," he said.
Developed at the University of Kansas Medical Center, the drug isn't far from moving into a critical phase of development.
"We are at a point with H2-gamendazole, which is the name of our particular compound, where we are getting ready to discuss what will be needed to discuss human clinical trials," Tash said.
The drug stops the production of sperm, and because it is non-hormonal, it could end up being a good way to go for couples in which the female pill, which includes hormones, isn't well tolerated.
For some women, it is a welcomed idea.
"Men should be held just as accountable as women. If they don't want to have a child, they can prevent it too," said Kansas City, MO, resident Roxy Bertram.
Aundrea and Travis Schaefer say they would definitely consider using it.
"I think it is a good thing," Travis Schaefer said.
But not all men are on board. Brandon Bowers says it is not something he would be interested in, but thinks it is good news for the next guy.
"If it is out there, that is a good thing. It is another option, so that is never too bad, I guess," Bowers said.
Researchers say people could expect to see the pill at a pharmacy sometime in the next five to 10 years.
Copyright 2012 KCTV (Meredith Corp.) All rights reserved.
