In the last seven years, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has achieved significant success in researching male contraception. The organization has successfully identified a safe and effective male contraceptive known as RISUG (Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance). RISUG is a non-hormonal injectable contraceptive that has demonstrated success in preventing pregnancy. According to reports, 303 male participants were involved in this research. It is claimed to be the first successful contraceptive injection for men that can effectively prevent pregnancy over a prolonged period.

According to the results published in the International Open Access Journal of Andrology, from a non-randomized phase-III study, 303 healthy, sexually active, and married individuals between the ages of 25 and 40 were selected from family planning clinics to participate in the research. These individuals were administered a 60-milligram dosage of RISUG.

The research findings indicate that RISUG was 99.02% effective in preventing pregnancy, with no reported side effects. RISUG achieved 97.3% azoospermia, a medical term indicating the absence of sperm in the seminal fluid. The partners of the male participants were also monitored, and it was found that they did not experience any adverse effects.

Dr. R.S. Sharma, who retired from the ICMR in 2022, after dedicating more than 20 years to the study, stated, "Finally, through this research, we have been able to address two main concerns regarding RISUG. Firstly, the duration of effectiveness of the contraceptive and secondly, the safety of the contraceptive for the users."

In a study conducted by the Ministry of Health, some men were found to have experienced side effects such as fever, swelling, and urinary tract infections after receiving the RISUG injection. However, they recovered within a few weeks to three months.

RISUG was developed by Dr. Sujoy Kumar Guha at IIT Kharagpur. Dr. Guha first published a scientific paper on RISUG in the journal Contraception in 1979. It took approximately 40 years to complete the phase-III trial of this contraceptive, which was conducted in five hospital-based research centers in Jaipur, New Delhi, Udhampur, Kharagpur, and Ludhiana.

What is RISUG, and how does it work? RISUG is based on injecting a polymer agent named styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) into the Vas Deferens through dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The Vas Deferens is the duct through which the sperm cells travel from the testicles to the private parts.

RISUG is injected into two Vas Deferens (Vas Defrances) that carry sperm from the testicles to the private parts. Anesthesia is administered at the site where the injection is applied to the testicles. Then RISUG is injected into the first and then the second sperm duct (Vas Deferens).

Once injected, the polymer adheres to the walls of the sperm ducts. When the polymer encounters negatively charged sperm, it breaks their tails, rendering them unable to fertilize.

Revolutionary Changes for Women Birth control has predominantly relied on condoms for men, while women have had to rely on contraceptive pills, which have been known to have negative effects on their health after prolonged use. Scientists believe that with the advent of male birth control, the health and lives of women will positively be impacted, as the responsibility for contraception will no longer solely rest on them.

Moreover, with the introduction of male birth control, the lives of women will likely be positively impacted, as the burden of contraception will no longer fall solely on them.

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