"Men may one day have a birthcontrol option other than the condom or vasectomy  if early research on a new contraceptive gel pans out. Preliminary findings suggest that when applied to the skin the gel dramatically lowers sperm counts thus also lowering  though not eliminating  the risk for pregnancy.  This is the first time that a combination of testosterone and a synthetic progestin called Nestorone has been tested as a gel that could be applied topically. Previous research involved administering the combination by injection or via a patch said study senior author Dr. Christina Wang a professor of medicine at Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute.  The combination contraceptive needs to undergo further testing before it is commercially available. Although men have sometimes received a bad rap for not being willing to assume responsibility for birth control Dr. Joseph Alukal an assistant professor of urology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City thinks this reputation may be somewhat undeserved.  I think men would use it more than is realized said Alukal who was not involved in the new research. Plenty of guys are concerned about unwanted pregnancy almost as much as women.  Unfortunately condoms and vasectomy have remained the only commercially available contraception options for men. The results of the study funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development were presented at the recent Endocrine Society annual meeting held in Houston. According to Wang the gel was applied in two spots  the testosterone component on the arm and the progestin component on the abdomen. The gels were applied every day for six months.  The study conducted in conjunction with the University of Washington involved  men who were assigned to receive one of three types of gels one gel containing both testosterone plus a gel containing one of two doses of the synthetic progestin or a gel containing testosterone on its own plus a placebo gel with no progestin. Up to  percent of the men who received the combination formulas saw their sperm concentrations plunge to less than  million sperm per milliliter versus just  percent of those receiving only testosterone.  Normal sperm concentration is more than  million sperm per milliliter according to the Mayo Clinics website. Up to  percent of men receiving the drug combination in the study saw their concentrations drop to no sperm at all versus only  percent of men taking testosterone alone.  The testosteroneprogestin combination works by shutting off the hormones that control production of sperm in the testes Wang explained.  One important and unanswered question is what the longterm side effects of this regimen might be.  The answer said Wang is We just dont know. Thats apart from mildtomoderate acne or an increase in acne which was seen in about  percent of participants.  A new formulation currently being developed that contains half the amount of testosterone might decrease or eliminate that problem Wang speculated.  Another question is how reversible this would be in terms of restoring sperm counts Alukal said.  In addition to planning more studies on this combination protocol Wang is also in early phases of testing the male hormone dimethandrolone which is more potent than testosterone.  Because the new study was presented at a medical meeting the data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peerreviewed journal. More information Theres more on contraception at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists http_Patients. SOURCES Christina Wang M.D. professor of medicine Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute Joseph P. Alukal M.D. assistant professor of urology NYU Langone Medical Center New York City presentation Endocrine Society annual meeting June  Houston"