Since its 2018 breakthrough, EP055 continues to represent hope for hormone-free male contraception globally.

Contraceptive Pills And More

Usage of contraceptives is usually associated with it having hormonal changes, this side effect is the main reason a fair number of people don’t prefer to use them. Women have a number of permanent to semi-permanent options when it comes to contraceptives. Men, on the other hand, have to use what is available. It is the men who are responsible for such slow progress rate when it comes to making new and effective male contraceptives. Shame, ego, lack of knowledge are a few reasons why men don’t prefer using contraceptives.

For the men who are ready to use them, the only options available are- condoms, which aren’t a 100% effective, pulling out, which many don’t prefer and honestly isn’t of much help;  semi-permanent options like surgical vasectomy are the only safe forms of birth control currently available. Hormonal drugs, which are currently in clinical trials, are available as well, but these might cause hormonal imbalances.

EP055 The Saviour

All of that is about to change now, thanks to a new male contraceptive, which can stop sperms without affecting the hormones. The breakthrough findings were published in a study by the University of North Carolina in the PLOS ONE journal.

EP055 is said to bind the sperm proteins, which will significantly slow the overall mobility of the sperm, without affecting hormones. This means the potential ‘male pill’ comes with practically no side effects.

The lead investigator on this study Michael O’Rand said, “simply put, the compound turns-off the sperm’s ability to swim, significantly limiting fertilization capabilities”. He further added that this would make EP055 an ideal candidate for non-hormonal male contraception.

The Trials

The study was conducted on male rhesus macaques. Thirty hours after a dose of the EPo55 was injected into the macaques, no indications of change in the sperm mobility and no physical side effects were found.

Mary Zelinski, co-investigator of the study, said,”At 18 days post-infusion, all macaques showed signs of complete recovery, suggesting that the EP055 compound is indeed reversible”.

Both O’Rand and Zelinski speculated that more work on the drug is needed before it can be available for human use. Their teams are currently trying to manufacture the compound into a pill form, for easier usage. A trial for its effectiveness against pregnancy is soon to be conducted.

What Does This Mean?

If the studies are conducted successfully and the compound is converted into the form of a pill,  male contraception will become easier than ever. It would mean easy and quick usage and no requirement of invasive surgery.  The pill would have major benefits like- unwanted pregnancies can be avoided, as both the partners would be on the pill and couples would not have to compromise on their sex life, no hormonal changes would mean a healthier and sexually active man, which is a win-win situation for all.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EP055 and how does it work as a male contraceptive?

EP055 is a non-hormonal male contraceptive compound that binds to sperm proteins, significantly reducing sperm mobility without affecting hormonal balance. Developed by researchers at the University of North Carolina, it offers a potential pill-form alternative to existing male contraceptive options.

Does EP055 have side effects like hormonal contraceptives?

No, EP055 is designed specifically to avoid hormonal imbalances. Unlike hormonal drugs in clinical trials, this compound targets sperm mobility directly without affecting hormone levels, making it practically side-effect free for male users.

Is EP055 approved and available for Indian men to use?

As of now, EP055 remains in research and development stages following its University of North Carolina study. It has not yet received regulatory approval for commercial use in India or globally, but represents promising progress in male contraceptive options.

How effective is EP055 compared to condoms and vasectomy?

While promising, EP055’s effectiveness percentage hasn’t been finalized in large-scale human trials yet. Condoms are 85-98% effective with typical use, while vasectomy is 99% effective. EP055 aims to provide an effective alternative between these options once approved.

When will EP055 become available for Indian consumers?

No official timeline has been announced for EP055’s commercial availability. Regulatory approval processes typically take several years after research completion. Indian men interested should monitor updates from the University of North Carolina and medical regulatory bodies for further developments.