by Jason Stotts
BBC News is reporting that University of North Carolina researchers are having some success using ultrasound to stop sperm production in the testicles for up to six months.
Lead researcher Dr James Tsuruta said: “We think this could provide men with up to six months of reliable, low-cost, non-hormonal contraception from a single round of treatment.
“Our long-term goal is to use ultrasound from therapeutic instruments that are commonly found in sports medicine or physical therapy clinics as an inexpensive, long-term, reversible male contraceptive suitable for use in developing to first world countries.”
This is very exciting news as male birth control is right now limited to condoms or invasive procedures. This would be a good solution for many men who don’t want to use condoms or invasive surgery, but also don’t want their partner to get pregnant. The only thing I’d like to see, is if this ends up going mainstream, is that people undergoing this procedure must also be given information that while the procedure will prevent pregnancy, that it will not prevent STI transmission.