At last! A contraceptive jab for men

The new male contraceptive which has been developed by researchers at Concord Hospital's Anzac Research Institute is a world first and will offer men control over their own fertility.

Sydney men will be among the first in the world to try a new two-monthly male contraceptive injection which works exactly like the female contraceptive pill by shutting down the reproductive function.

The contraceptive injection which tricks the brain into thinking it has already produced sperm, without affecting men's sexuality was found in earlier studies to work in 95% of men - and the men became fully fertile again three months after they stop having the injections.

The worldwide trial involves 10 centres including Sydney and Melbourne's Prince Henry Institute and according to lead researcher Professor Rob McLachlan the treatment keeps men's testosterone levels normal while the progestin fools the brain into not producing hormones needed to stimulate sperm production.

Dr. McLachlan says sexual function should not change because the level of testosterone in the blood remains the same.

Four hundred couples are being sought to take part in the 18-month trial which will test the effectiveness of the injection as the only form of contraception.