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Nguyen BT, Jacobsohn TL. Men's willingness to use novel male contraception is linked to gender-equitable attitudes: Results from an exploratory online survey. Contraception 2023; 123:110001. [PMID: 36924819 DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2023.110001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the association of men's willingness to use a novel male contraceptive with their attitudes toward gender equity. STUDY DESIGN We conducted an anonymous online survey examining willingness to use male contraception among reproductive-age (18-50 years) cisgender men from the United States and Canada, recruited via online forums, social media ads, and male contraceptive mailing lists from April through July of 2022. We collected sociodemographics and reproductive histories and used a 20-item Gender-Equitable Men Scale to examine men's gender role attitudes. We conducted bivariate analyses to inform a multivariable logistic regression isolating the independent influence of increasingly gender-equitable attitudes on cis-men's willingness to use novel male contraceptives. RESULTS We received 2066 surveys from primarily white (n = 1192; 58%), heterosexual (n = 1816; 88%), married cis-men (n = 1008; 49%), below age 30 (n = 1010; 49%), and who had not completed a bachelor's degree (n = 1173; 57%). The majority reported sex multiple times per week (n = 946; 46%), but had never gotten someone pregnant (n = 907; 44%); nearly half (n = 994; 48%) identified as parents. Three-quarters of respondents reported being willing to use novel male contraceptives (n = 1545; 75%); willingness was independently linked to having had an abortion (adjOR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.37-3.02) and increasing total Gender-Equitable Men Scale scores (adjOR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02-1.08), even after controlling for age, race/ethnicity, and education. CONCLUSIONS Three-quarters of cis-men surveyed reported willingness to use new male contraceptives, which was correlated with increasingly gender-equitable attitudes. IMPLICATIONS As gender-equitable attitudes are linked to men's willingness to use novel male contraceptives, older population surveys may underestimate male contraceptive demand. Further, given the association of abortion experience with willingness to use novel male contraceptives, abortion-providing clinics may be considered for future dissemination of male contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian T Nguyen
- The Lundquist Institute at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Tamar L Jacobsohn
- Contraceptive Development Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Gómez-Torres P, Lucha-López AC, Martínez-Pérez GZ, Sheridan T, Vera Cruz G. Acceptability and Determinants of using Male Hormonal Contraceptives: A Systematic Review from a Gender Perspective. PSYCHOLOGY & SEXUALITY 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2023.2191606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Piedad Gómez-Torres
- Department of Physiatrics and Nursing, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Research Group Sector III Heathcare (GIIS081), Institute of Research of Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ana C. Lucha-López
- Department of Physiatrics and Nursing, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Research Group Sector III Heathcare (GIIS081), Institute of Research of Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
- Unidad de Investigación en Fisioterapia (UIF), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Taylor Sheridan
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Germano Vera Cruz
- Department of Psychology, University of Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
- Centre de Recherche en Psychologie: Cognition, Psychisme et Organisations UR 7273 CRP-CPO, University of Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
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Lue Y, Swerdloff R, Pak Y, Nguyen BT, Yuen F, Liu PY, Blithe DL, Wang C. Male contraception development: monitoring effective spermatogenesis suppression utilizing a user-controlled sperm concentration test compared with standard semen analysis. Fertil Steril 2023; 119:208-217. [PMID: 36347310 PMCID: PMC9898087 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether a user-controlled sperm concentration test compared with standard semen analysis can effectively monitor spermatogenesis suppression for male contraception. DESIGN Single center, prospective sub study of the ongoing clinical trial: "Study of daily application of Nestorone and testosterone combination gel for male contraception." SETTING Research institute at an academic medical center. PARTICIPANT(S) Couples participating in the male contraceptive clinical trial. INTERVENTIONS None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) The ability by participants to monitor sperm suppression to a threshold compatible with contraceptive efficacy utilizing a user-controlled test verified by sperm concentration determined by standard laboratory methods. RESULT(S) Thirty-eight men participating in a hormonal male contraceptive clinical trial provided multiple samples during spermatogenesis suppression for this substudy. Participants, employing a user-controlled test, correctly identified the absence of sperm (a negative test) in 100% of their laboratory-confirmed azoospermic samples (n = 122). Participants also identified 100% of samples (n = 73) with sperm >0.2 million/mL as positive. Sperm counts between 0.01 and 0.2 million/mL were identified as negative in 96% of samples. Trial participants noted the overall ease of using the test with respect to sample preparation, test timing, and result interpretation, and that they could accurately use this test at home without difficulty. CONCLUSION(S) Participants undergoing spermatogenesis suppression in a hormonal male contraceptive trial performed user-controlled test to determine whether their semen sperm concentration was ≤ or >0.2 million/mL. Compared with standard semen analyses, participants correctly identified 100% of samples with sperm counts >0.2 million/mL as positive (Sensitivity 100%). A positive result when the couple is using a male contraceptive method triggers the need for semen analysis by a laboratory while the couple uses another method of contraception. Participants correctly diagnosed samples ≤0.2 million sperm/mL as negative in 99% of samples (specificity 99%). A negative result indicates a sperm concentration ≤0.2 million/mL, well below the threshold of ≤1 million/mL offering contraceptive efficacy demonstrated by prior studies. At-home sperm concentration test would minimize the need for users to return to the clinic to monitor suppression of spermatogenesis, decreasing cost and burden of male contraception trials and increasing practicality of the method. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT: 03452111.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhe Lue
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, THarbor-UCLA Medical Center, Medical Center, West Carson, California
| | - Ronald Swerdloff
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, THarbor-UCLA Medical Center, Medical Center, West Carson, California
| | - Youngju Pak
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, THarbor-UCLA Medical Center, Medical Center, West Carson, California; Clinical and Translational Science Institute, The Lundquist Institute at Harbor-University of California, Los Angeles, Medical Center, West Carson, California
| | - Brian T Nguyen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Fiona Yuen
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, THarbor-UCLA Medical Center, Medical Center, West Carson, California
| | - Peter Y Liu
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, THarbor-UCLA Medical Center, Medical Center, West Carson, California
| | - Diana L Blithe
- Contraceptive Development Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Christina Wang
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, THarbor-UCLA Medical Center, Medical Center, West Carson, California; Clinical and Translational Science Institute, The Lundquist Institute at Harbor-University of California, Los Angeles, Medical Center, West Carson, California.
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Barakat M, Thiab S, Thiab S, Al-Qudah RA, Akour A. Knowledge and Perception Regarding the Development and Acceptability of Male Contraceptives Among Pharmacists: A Mixed Sequential Method. Am J Mens Health 2022; 16:15579883221074855. [PMID: 35135388 PMCID: PMC8832602 DOI: 10.1177/15579883221074855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Community pharmacists play a crucial role in providing comprehensive patient education regarding contraception methods. This study aims to investigate Jordanian pharmacists’ knowledge and perceptions toward male oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). A mixed-explanatory sequential method was divided into two phases. The first was a self-administered electronic survey that was distributed to community pharmacists/trainees in Jordan. The second phase was carried out through online semi-structured in-depth interviews targeting the maximum variation purposive sample of community pharmacists. A total of 158 (response rate 98%) questionnaires were included in the analysis. The majority of the participants were female (n = 118, 74.2%). In terms of knowledge, only 25% of participants acknowledged the presence of male OCPs and almost half were uncertain about the mechanism of action and the possible uses. The findings of the interviews confirmed a relatively negative perception toward male OCPs and the identified barriers to male OCPs were cultural norms, side effects, and poor compliance. It is argued that there is a negative perception toward male OCPs due to the majority of pharmacists not believing such products will be successful in Jordan. Once these pills are approved for their effectiveness and safety, men may need further education and encouragement to take an active role in family planning along with their partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muna Barakat
- Department of Clinical pharmacy and therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Samar Thiab
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Sara Thiab
- College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Raja'a A Al-Qudah
- Department of Clinical pharmacy and therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Amal Akour
- Department of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.,Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
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Raju M, Kavarthapu R, Anbazhagan R, Hassan SA, Dufau ML. Blockade of GRTH/DDX25 Phosphorylation by Cyclic Peptides Provides an Avenue for Developing a Nonhormonal Male Contraceptive. J Med Chem 2021; 64:14715-14727. [PMID: 34601876 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Gonadotropin-regulated testicular RNA helicase (GRTH)/DDX25 is a DEAD-box RNA helicase essential for the completion of spermatogenesis. Our previous studies indicated that blocking the GRTH phospho-site or perturbing the GRTH/protein kinase A (PKA) interface could provide an avenue for developing a nonhormonal male contraceptive. In this study, cyclic peptides were rationally designed and synthesized as promising therapeutic agents. The peptides showed effective delivery into COS-1 and germ cells and a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on GRTH phosphorylation. The peptides inhibit GRTH phosphorylation in the presence of PKA, and binding to the helicase resulted in thermal stabilization of non-phospho GRTH. Increased efficiency in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay revealed their interaction with GRTH. Cyclic peptide exposure of cultures from mice seminiferous tubules resulted in significant inhibition of phospho GRTH. These peptides did not exhibit toxicity. Effective delivery and targeted decrease of in vitro expression of phospho GRTH by cyclic peptides provide a promising angle to develop effective compounds as a nonhormonal male contraceptive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murugananthkumar Raju
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Raghuveer Kavarthapu
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Rajakumar Anbazhagan
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Sergio A Hassan
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Maria L Dufau
- Section on Molecular Endocrinology, Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
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Festin MPR. Preface - Modern contraception. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2020; 66:1-3. [PMID: 32622630 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2020.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Philip R Festin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila, Philippines.
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