Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026
12:31
An Ex vivo Model to Study Hormone Action in the Human Breast
Published on: January 8, 2015
12.0K
Male hormonal contraception: a safe option?
Melanie J Walton1, Richard A A Anderson2
1a The University of Edinburgh, Centre for Reproductive Biology, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK. m.walton@ed.ac.uk.
Expert Review of Endocrinology & Metabolism
|February 13, 2019
Summary
Hormonal male contraception, using testosterone and progestogen, is under investigation. Larger studies are now assessing the safety and potential health benefits of these regimens for men.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
- Men's Health
Background:
- Hormonal male contraception typically involves testosterone, often combined with a progestogen.
- Testosterone has a well-established safety profile for treating male hypogonadism.
- Previous contraceptive studies were small-scale, limiting safety assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the safety considerations of hormonal male contraception for healthy individuals.
- To highlight the evolving landscape of male contraceptive research with larger studies.
- To explore potential health benefits beyond contraception.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on hormonal male contraception.
- Analysis of safety data from ongoing large-scale clinical trials.
- Investigation into the impact on cardiovascular, prostate, bone, and psychological health.
Main Results:
- Larger studies are now providing more comprehensive safety data.
- Cardiovascular and prostate health are key areas of focus.
- Bone health, body composition, and psychological effects are also important considerations.
Conclusions:
- Increased pharmaceutical industry involvement is accelerating data generation.
- Emerging data will offer insights into both contraceptive efficacy and general male health.
- Potential health benefits of selective androgen action warrant further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
02:13Types of Hormones
83.5K
Hormones can be classified into three main types based on their chemical structures: steroids, peptides, and amines. Their actions are mediated by the specific receptors they bind to on target cells.
83.5K
01:21Types of Hormones
7.1K
Hormones are classified into four main groups: steroids, eicosanoids, amino acid-based derivatives, and peptide hormones.
Steroids and eicosanoids fall under the category of lipid-soluble hormones. Steroids are derived from cholesterol and feature four interconnected carbon rings with variable side chains. Notable examples include estradiol from ovaries and testosterone from testes, exemplifying the critical roles of these lipid-soluble hormones in reproductive physiology. Eicosanoids, derived...
Steroids and eicosanoids fall under the category of lipid-soluble hormones. Steroids are derived from cholesterol and feature four interconnected carbon rings with variable side chains. Notable examples include estradiol from ovaries and testosterone from testes, exemplifying the critical roles of these lipid-soluble hormones in reproductive physiology. Eicosanoids, derived...
7.1K
01:33Hormonal Regulation
36.0K
The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.
36.0K
01:40Hormonal Regulation
48.0K
Hormones regulate a significant portion of digestion through activation of the neuroendocrine system. The neuroendocrine system of digestion contains many different hormones all with multiple functions that are both, directly and indirectly, involved in digestion.
48.0K
01:56Plant Hormones
27.5K
Plant hormones—or phytohormones—are chemical molecules that modulate one or more physiological processes of a plant. In animals, hormones are often produced in specific glands and circulated via the circulatory system. However, plants lack hormone-producing glands.
27.5K
01:23Infertility in Males
563
Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
563