Unexplainable Is male birth control finally here?
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Apr 1, 2026 
Annalisa Merelli, a reproductive health reporter at STAT, walks through the new wave of male contraceptives. She outlines promising hormonal and nonhormonal drugs, on-demand options that block ejaculation, and long-lasting devices in trials. She also explains why progress stalled and what funding and cultural shifts could bring these methods to market.
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Multiple Male Contraceptives Are In Advanced Trials
- Male birth control research is farther along than before with multiple methods in phase two showing real promise.
- Trials now include hormonal gels, nonhormonal pills, on-demand pills, and device implants moving toward phase three.
Hormonal Gel Works But Transfers Through Skin
- NES-T is a daily hormonal gel combining estrogen and testosterone that suppresses sperm but risks testosterone transfer via skin contact.
- Trial participants liked its effectiveness but had to time application to avoid touching others for hours.
Participant Planned His Day Around The Gel
- A man in the NES-T trial found the gel manageable and preferred it to no contraception.
- He planned application times around visits with his girlfriend and immediately sought another trial when it ended.