Women have had the option of a safe, effective and reversible form of contraception since the development of the female oral contraceptive pill in the 1960s. Finally, thanks to new scientific developments, it is the man's turn. For the first time, a safe, effective and reversible hormonal male contraceptive appears to be within reach.

Over the past 5 years, researchers around the world have had a great deal of success with male contraceptive pills, patches, implants and creams that deliver various amounts of hormones. It is now believed that a male hormone contraceptive method in the form of a daily pill could be available on the market within 5 to 7 years and implants could arrive even sooner.

Several formulations are expected to become commercially available within the near future. Men may soon have the options of a daily pill to be taken orally, a patch or gel to be applied to the skin, an injection given every three months or an implant placed under the skin every 12 months

According to experts, in some countries, a low-cost, reversible and long-acting form of the male pill could become commercially available as soon as within the next 3 years. Female contraceptives use hormones, estrogens and progestins, to shut off the release of eggs to prevent pregnancy. Male hormonal contraceptives work pretty much the same way: hormones, such as testosterone and progestins, are used to turn off sperm production.

But will men take it? Some say yes, some say only if their partners make them, and other say they would never even consider it.

Many men are pleased to hear they may have a new option and relish in a new found control over contraceptive issues. However, some argue that many will be wary of taking any type of hormones and would prefer to rely on a solution that doesn't involving medicating themselves. The problems women have had with hormone therapy won't help matters.

Studies conducted by the World Health Organization show that men from many countries around the world would welcome male hormone contraceptives. The WHO has tested MHCs in hundreds of volunteers in various countries around the world and have not found it difficult to recruit volunteers for their studies. Researchers say many men are very willing to become involved in the studies and are anxious to see a male birth control pill on the market.