A male contraceptive that lowers libido and causes ‘moobs’ could give men “men the chance to shoulder the burden”. 

The contraceptive gel is applied to a man’s shoulder to lower their sperm within eight weeks. 

A study presented last week has included 222 participants and their partners since 2018, all of whom use the gel. 

According to fertility expert Helena Tubridy, if the gel is effective, it could increase gender balance in sexual health. 

“You could say it gives men the chance to shoulder the burden of contraceptives,” she told The Hard Shoulder. 

“It's nice and hidden, rubs off after a shower – I wonder if they’ll make it scented.” 

Possible side effects of the contraceptive gel include acne, lower libido and weight gain around the chest area to develop ‘moobs’. 

“Those are the kind of things guys might not like,” Ms Tubridy. “The gym bunny kind of bloke. 

“The idea of a fairly youngish guy getting those ‘moobs’ doesn’t go down well.” 

Women vs men contraceptive

Goss.ie founder Ali Ryan said if men are uncomfortable with the consequences of birth control, they should consider what it’s like for women. 

“Do you know what women have to go through on a monthly basis?” she said. 

“Men have heard us complain so much that they wouldn’t want to go through it themselves. 

“So many women on the pill get a lower libido.” 

Ms Ryan said women have been in charge of contraception for so long that there would probably be “accidental babies if we put it all on men”. 

'They wouldn't trust a bloke with it'

Ms Tubridy also conducted an informal survey on her Instagram page, and the vast majority of women said they would not trust men with birth control. 

“They wouldn’t trust a bloke an inch,” she said. “Forgetting it, not admitting they forgot it, not taking it seriously. 

“Women are very regimented, very used to it – the idea is that guys will need a lot of education.” 

Ms Tubridy also pointed out that because the gel takes eight weeks to become effective, it won’t replace the likes of condoms. 

“It’s not really Tinder-friendly,” she said. 

“For people in long-term couples, it can offer relief from the misery that is oral contraception, which is very clunky and has a lot of side effects.” 

The product combines two hormones, testosterone and a synthetic hormone called Nestorone. 

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