![A doctor holds a yellow model of sperm over a desk](https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2024/06/n21259640/jcr:content/image.img.cq5dam.thumbnail.500.500.jpg/1719334096869.jpg)
Male birth control gel inches towards FDA approval
UC expert speaks with Yahoo News, Cincinnati Enquirer
Researchers report a birth control drug for men is close to receiving Food and Drug Administration approval.
“The gel allows men another avenue to take control of their sexual health,” Wesley Baas, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Surgical Urology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and a UC Health physician, told Yahoo News and the Cincinnati Enquirer
Clinical trials reported the drug was 86% effective in reducing sperm counts low enough to be considered effective contraception, but Baas said it likely won't reach wide distribution for years. The clear hormonal gel is designed to be rubbed daily on the shoulders.
“The shoulder blades provide a broad surface area of skin where drugs can be easily absorbed," Baas explained. "The shoulder blades are commonly covered by shirts and thus less likely to transfer to others."
Baas said the gel "should be a reversible method of birth control," but more research needs to be done to examine the potential long-term impacts.
Read the Yahoo News story, originally published in the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Featured photo at top of a doctor holding a model of sperm. Photo/iStock/Shidlovski.
Related Stories
Wall Street Journal: More women with breast cancer could skip harsh radiation
February 16, 2023
The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center's Sara Medek and Elizabeth Shaughnessy were featured in a Wall Street Journal article commenting on a recent study that found more older women with low-risk breast cancer could forgo radiation after surgery to avoid further side effects.
MedPage Today: Promising results for living donor transplants
April 5, 2022
The University of Cincinnati's Shimul Shah, MD, was featured in a MedPage Today article highlighting recent research on the success of living donor transplants for patients with unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases.
55KRC: Death of Olivia Newton-John highlights breast cancer survivorship
August 15, 2022
The University of Cincinnati's Elizabeth Shaughnessy, MD, PhD, joined 55KRC's Simply Medicine program to discuss breast cancer survivorship and screening in light of the recent death of actress and singer Olivia Newton-John.
WCPO: Middletown man hopes prostate cancer diagnosis inspires other to get screened
September 18, 2023
Patient Reverend Michael Bailey and University of Cincinnati Cancer Center member Nilesh Patil spoke with WCPO about the importance of screening during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Research Evangelist: UC expert discusses improving accessibility to lung cancer treatments
November 28, 2023
The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center's Robert Van Haren joined the Research Evangelist podcast to discuss advancements in lung cancer care and research to improve accessibility to treatments.
Healthline: UC expert discusses colorectal cancer
April 15, 2024
The University of Cincinnati's Carla Justiniano spoke with Healthline about colorectal cancer in an article about a woman diagnosed with cancer when she was seven months pregnant.
Local 12: Brothers donate organs to their mother
May 13, 2024
Local 12 highlighted the story of Lynnette Knott, who received organ donations from sons Mark and Matt performed by University of Cincinnati physicians.
New York Times, Boston Globe: New technique reshaping organ transplantation
April 4, 2024
The University of Cincinnati's Shimul Shah was featured in the New York Times and Boston Globe discussing how a new technique of keeping donation organs alive outside the body is revolutionizing organ transplantation.
Male birth control gel inches towards FDA approval
June 25, 2024
![Yahoo News logo](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/yahoo.png)
The University of Cincinnati's Wesley Baas spoke with Yahoo News and the Cincinnati Enquirer about a new male birth control gel that could be close to receiving FDA approval.
US News & World Report: Lung cancer screening and COVID-19
December 21, 2020
New UC research shows a dangerous trend in lung cancer caused by the pandemic.