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Scientists to test ultrasound as a male contraceptive

Would you do it?


  • Total voters
    8

Slartibartfast

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BBC News - Scientists to test ultrasound as a male contraceptive

Based on early work, University of North Carolina experts believe a blast of ultrasound to the testes can safely stop sperm production for six months.

With a grant of $100,000 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation they will push ahead with more clinical trials.

The researchers ultimately hope it could offer a new birth control option to couples throughout the world.

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."

Once the testis has stopped producing sperm and all "sperm reserves" have been depleted, explain the researchers, the man will be temporarily infertile.

Their Grand Challenges Exploration Grant project aims at fine-tuning this technique for maximum effect and safety.
 
Yes, ultrasound would work as a male contraceptive. At the right resonant frequency and amplitude, it would make a man's balls fall off. I don't think I will try it. :mrgreen:
 
It seems too unreliable. Honestly I would want to know the science behind why ultrasounds tops sperm production. Watch it lead to testicular cancer or something. Plus, what if men differ in their time between being fertile and infertile? It might not be around 6 months for every man. I wouldn't have this procedure done, it seems to risky. Honestly, I don't think it's too healthy for the ballroom jewels either.
 
As long as it's effective and doesn't have any serious side effects, sure I'd do it. I've also heard that some of the top pharma companies are working on a male birth control pill, that increases testosterone to limit sperm production.

Either the ultrasound or the pill would be extremely helpful IMO.
 
I wouldn't do this, but then again I don't have to worry about accidental pregnancy. :D

A pill that raises your testosterone level would be a bad idea.

EDIT: I just registered the fact that it's supposed to stop sperm production for six months. I am curious to see how a sound wave blast would do that, short of damaging the seminiferous tubules that produce sperm. If it has to damage the body to achieve its goal then it does not have my support.
 
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I know it's off topic, but you know what bothers me about this? We ultrasound babies in utero multiple times in a 7-8 month period of time, and no one seems to worry about it. If it can stop sperm production, could it do harm to a developing baby? Are we screwing up our children before they are even born?

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.;)
 
I know it's off topic, but you know what bothers me about this? We ultrasound babies in utero multiple times in a 7-8 month period of time, and no one seems to worry about it. If it can stop sperm production, could it do harm to a developing baby? Are we screwing up our children before they are even born?

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.;)

Pre-natal ultrasound is lower frequency, and it has to pass through the amniotic fluid. I'd imagine that a contraceptive ultrasound would be higher frequency, and they would place the emitter directly on the scrotum.

Apples and oranges.

More babies are being harmed in delivery through the use of suction and forceps than pre-natally. And people wonder why autism is on the rise.
 
More babies are being harmed in delivery through the use of suction and forceps than pre-natally. And people wonder why autism is on the rise.

But suction and forceps are used at the end of pregnancy, while ultrasound is often used very early in pregnancy, during critical periods of development. That's the primary reason I wonder if it causes harm.

edit- nevermind- didn't mean to derail the thread- the question just popped into my head.:)
 
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But suction and forceps are used at the end of pregnancy, while ultrasound is often used very early in pregnancy, during critical periods of development. That's the primary reason I wonder if it causes harm.

The tools used in delivery can cause minute damage to the brain, as babies skulls are soft. That would also affect their development. The labor rooms in hospitals these days tend to avoid natural delivery and the tools used to withdraw the baby faster can be harmful.

Pre-natal ultrasound is not risky. Babies are exposed to the sounds of the outside world through the womb, such as their mother's voices, music, etc. If sound could harm the embryo we'd be seeing cases of it already.
 
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