Birth Control for Men?

[AJW91]

I'm interested in possibly self-medicating with low-dose testosterone and deca for birth control purposes. What are your guys' thoughts and experiences with this?

I've searched the forums and came up with some interesting results. This guy used testosterone, had unprotected sex for ten years straight, and didn't have a kid till he took a shot of HCG. Here, someone asked a question similar to mine, and most people (who were white males) responded that testosterone is a poor contraceptive strategy and that they've had kids on cycle. And having lurked/posted on this forum for quite a while now, I've seen several threads where people have mentioned that they had kids while on cycle. I wonder to what extent the use of anti-estrogens, HCG, clomid and other "post-cycle therapy" and "on-cycle therapy" drugs were the real reason why these people were able to have kids on cycle. I also wonder what kind of drugs they were using - as research seems to indicate that you need a mix of androgens (i.e. test) and progestins (i.e. deca) to properly act as birth control in white men:

WebMD: Testosterone Tested as Male Contraceptive

Monthly injections of a testosterone-based contraceptive were 99% effective for preventing partner pregnancy in what researchers say is the largest trial ever of a hormone-based male birth control approach.

[..]

The men in the Chinese study received monthly injections of a form of testosterone known as testosterone undecanoate (TU).

Lead researcher Yi-Gun Gu, MD, of Beijing's National Research Institute for Family Planning tells WebMD that while the contraceptive was found to be highly effective in the study, TU alone is not likely to be used in non-Asian populations.

Asian men seem to respond well to testosterone as a form of contraception, while studies in white men have shown it to be much less effective.

The reasons for this are not clear, but Gu tells WebMD that any hormonal birth control developed for non-Asian men is likely to include another hormone -- progestin.

Studies have shown the testosterone-progestin combination to be very effective in suppressing fertility in white men.

[...]

There was no evidence of major side effects, and all but two of the men in the study returned to normal fertility after stopping the injections. The average time it took for the men to return to normal fertility was around six and a half months.

For those who don't know: nandrolone aka deca can used as a progestin-based contraceptive. At least according to wikipedia it could be. (Could someone with greater understanding of chemistry comment on this?) If this is true, then low-dose test + low-dose deca could be used as a male contraceptive for white men who apparently don't respond as well to just testosterone therapy.

Another interesting point about the above study is how they used the testosterone - a really long ester injected once a month. This would probably lead to unstable levels of testosterone. Maybe this is why testosterone-only therapy hasn't worked for white men as a means of birth control - when test levels were low, perhaps the HPTA of these men began to recover and their sperm count went up. So perhaps more frequent injections of testosterone, like weekly or twice-weekly test cyp, could work better. Or perhaps daily low-dose methyltestosterone pills, like 10mg/day could do the trick - at the cost of some liver toxicity, of course.

Here's another article about male birth control...

Male birth control pill soon a reality

For the first time, a safe, effective and reversible hormonal male contraceptive appears to be within reach. Several formulations are expected to become commercially available within the near future. Men may soon have the options of a daily pill to be taken orally, a patch or gel to be applied to the skin, an injection given every three months or an implant placed under the skin every 12 months, according to Seattle researchers.

[...]

Coviello and her colleagues have found that a male contraceptive that releases testosterone over three months is potentially a safe and practical method of contraception. The Seattle researchers have been testing a sustained-released, testosterone micro-capsule, which consists of a thick liquid administered by injection under the skin.

“I never had any real noticeable side effects. I didn’t notice any mood changes. I may have put on a little weight,” says Larry Setlow, a 39-year-old computer programmer with a small software company in Seattle. He has taken part in three male hormonal contraceptive clinical trials at the University of Washington and has received both pills and injections.

“They all worked really well and I was able to look at my lab results and see my sperm count drop to zero,” says Setlow.

[...]

Female contraceptives use hormones, estrogens and progestins, to shut off the release of eggs to prevent pregnancy. Male hormonal contraceptives work pretty much the same way: hormones, such as testosterone and progestins, are used to turn off sperm production.

“It seemed like I was getting headaches and then there were times when I woke up sweating at night and I had to change my shirt. Other than that, I didn’t have any side effects,” says 45-year-old Quentin Brown, who lives in Los Angeles and has been a volunteer in a study of MHCs at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, Calif.

Brown has been taking hormonal contraceptives for more than a year. He reports no problems with weight gain or acne, two side effects that occurred in earlier versions of MHCs tested in the 1990s.

[...]

Over the past 5 years, researchers around the world have had a great deal of success with male contraceptive pills, patches, implants and creams that deliver various amounts of hormones. It is now believed that an MHC in the form of a daily pill could be available on the market within 5 to 7 years and implants could arrive even sooner.

“An injectible or an implant (similar to Norplant for women) will be the first to be approved. The big studies are now under way,” says Dr. Christina Wang, who is heading up the clinical trials of MHCs at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

She and her colleagues have found that a combination of progestin and androgen implants are safe, effective, inexpensive and entirely reversible.

It seems like this article suggests that (1) male birth control for men in the United States, who I presume are mostly white, has worked and (2) a progestin-androgen combination works. So, like I stated above, this makes it seem like low-dose test + low-dose deca could do the trick.

SO, what are your guys' thoughts on this? How could one go about doing this safely, leaving the possibility of having kids down the road open? etc.

 

[r0idb0y]

and here i sit mid cycle with bruised swollen and very sore balls from my snip the other day

 

[Barbie81]

and here i sit mid cycle with bruised swollen and very sore balls from my snip the other day

your avatar is hysterical! Gave me the giggles x

 

[Ness]

From my experiences in research on fertility (I am trying to raise my sperm count), long term use of testosterone without any ancillaries such as HCG, Clomed, AIs, etc. can lower/kill one's fertility. However, this is dose dependent. 40mgs of Test injected weekly should not affect sperm count/production at all. 200mgs and above will over time. Many people conceive while on cycle because they truly do cycle or come off drugs long enough to allow at least a partial recovery for sperm production. Then when they get back on aas, production may stop but you still have sperm for some time.
I would think that long term test use with 19 nors would prolly kill your fertility chances after 4-6 months of continuous use.

 

[AJW91]

From my experiences in research on fertility (I am trying to raise my sperm count), long term use of testosterone without any ancillaries such as HCG, Clomed, AIs, etc. can lower/kill one's fertility. However, this is dose dependent. 40mgs of Test injected weekly should not affect sperm count/production at all. 200mgs and above will over time. Many people conceive while on cycle because they truly do cycle or come off drugs long enough to allow at least a partial recovery for sperm production. Then when they get back on aas, production may stop but you still have sperm for some time.
I would think that long term test use with 19 nors would prolly kill your fertility chances after 4-6 months of continuous use.

Then what of the studies showing that one can use an androgen/progestin combination for the sole purpose of reducing sperm count for a year straight, and then when you come off you can regain your fertility in ~6 months?

I have read on the internet about people who have been unable to regain their fertility, however, I suspect that these people either:
1) Weren't fertile to begin with due to genetic factors or other confounding environmental factors which aren't controlled for;
or
2) Used steroids in excess of, say, 200mg test + 150mg deca per week for long durations of time. I totally agree that if one uses higher doses of hormonal drugs for prolonged periods of time without cycling or the use of ancillary drugs, then permanent shutdown could be expected. But the question here is about much lower doses than that - i.e. just enough androgens to shut down your own testosterone production and a little progestin to facilitate the androgens.

 

[EzekielAnon]

Hey friend every person is different and will vary but... I only use 250mg of test per week, 25mg Dbol ED and 3iu Rips ED. I have recently just got my sperm count tested and my doctor said its extremely low and he is confident I can not get anyone preg due to low count and the sperm have very bad mobility apparently.

On the other hand A very good friend of mine gets on gear heavy and got his girl preg while on a bulk cycle. He was on 750mg Test, 600mg Deca, and 50mg Dbol ED.

I really think that taking gear should not be your primary birth control. Have you girl get on the pill or an IUD. If you have multiple partners use a jimmy friend. Be 100% sure if you dont want a baby.

 

[maldorf]

I would never trust AAS for birth control. Many guys on here fathered children while on cycle. I conceived both of my kids while on cycles that were 2 grams a week or so for 12 weeks. At the time I would go off and do PCTs, but the pcts usually only lasted maybe 8 weeks. I was mid cycle or more along both times when the babies were conceived.

 

[concreter]

Also had my daughter while on, 17yrs ago. Sets new records in gym class all the time, she also can out bench most guys in the school and has never really trained. Should have been on when I had my 14yr old boy! Getting them both in the gym this winter as they both want to be like dad, what they call BUFF!

 

[AJW91]

Hey friend every person is different and will vary but... I only use 250mg of test per week, 25mg Dbol ED and 3iu Rips ED. I have recently just got my sperm count tested and my doctor said its extremely low and he is confident I can not get anyone preg due to low count and the sperm have very bad mobility apparently.

On the other hand A very good friend of mine gets on gear heavy and got his girl preg while on a bulk cycle. He was on 750mg Test, 600mg Deca, and 50mg Dbol ED.

I really think that taking gear should not be your primary birth control. Have you girl get on the pill or an IUD. If you have multiple partners use a jimmy friend. Be 100% sure if you dont want a baby.

I would never trust AAS for birth control. Many guys on here fathered children while on cycle. I conceived both of my kids while on cycles that were 2 grams a week or so for 12 weeks. At the time I would go off and do PCTs, but the pcts usually only lasted maybe 8 weeks. I was mid cycle or more along both times when the babies were conceived.

Also had my daughter while on, 17yrs ago. Sets new records in gym class all the time, she also can out bench most guys in the school and has never really trained. Should have been on when I had my 14yr old boy! Getting them both in the gym this winter as they both want to be like dad, what they call BUFF!

Well that's kinda crazy... and disappointing for me. D:

Guess this is another one to chalk up to genetics. Some can have kids while on cycle, even if they abuse AAS while others don't stand a chance even if they cycle more-or-less correctly.

Just a question... For those of you who had kids on cycle, or knew someone who did, were you using antiestrogens, HCG, or clomid at the time? Could that have been a contributing factor?

 

[concreter]

Back then I was nieve, ran 500 test and 50 syntex for mnths usually with shots of jack. Did'nt even know what an AI was or pct. Luckily was young enough to rebound but still have a little permanant gyno.

 

[Ness]

Then what of the studies showing that one can use an androgen/progestin combination for the sole purpose of reducing sperm count for a year straight, and then when you come off you can regain your fertility in ~6 months?

I have read on the internet about people who have been unable to regain their fertility, however, I suspect that these people either:
1) Weren't fertile to begin with due to genetic factors or other confounding environmental factors which aren't controlled for;
or
2) Used steroids in excess of, say, 200mg test + 150mg deca per week for long durations of time. I totally agree that if one uses higher doses of hormonal drugs for prolonged periods of time without cycling or the use of ancillary drugs, then permanent shutdown could be expected. But the question here is about much lower doses than that - i.e. just enough androgens to shut down your own testosterone production and a little progestin to facilitate the androgens.

Oh my bad, youre talking about permanent castration induced chemically?

I dont think anabolics of any dose or in any combo will permanently shut one down unless they had fertility issues to begin with. The body is just too resilient and unless your in your 60-70's your body will make somewhat of a comeback, however small it might be.

HOWEVER, if you truely want to fry your nuts for good then use mega doses of HCG. Id blast 10,000ius ed of HCG for a week...that should give your nuts an eternal nap.

 

[maldorf]

I was taking a small dose of arimdex daily, thats it as an ancillary.

 

[mad078]

I would never trust AAS for birth control. Many guys on here fathered children while on cycle. I conceived both of my kids while on cycles that were 2 grams a week or so for 12 weeks. At the time I would go off and do PCTs, but the pcts usually only lasted maybe 8 weeks. I was mid cycle or more along both times when the babies were conceived.

Agreed...I've been on 200 mg/week for 3 years. Baby girl due on Friday.

 

[maldorf]

Yep, as far as preventing pregnancy, you would be better of using condoms IMO.

 

[thebigguy84]

I was taking a 750 test and when my wife got preg and my buddy was also and he got his wife knocked up twice so dunno.

 

[Alias]

interesting stuff here.

I've been dealing with a lot of these testosterone related side effects for a while now. I was running test around 400mg week for a couple years without going off cycle. We decided to have more children back in february of 2010 and I stopped the 400mg dose and dropped to 100mg week in hopes I would gain back my swimmers and get the job done. After 20 months I still haven't been able to get her pregnant. The urologist I'm seeing seems to think the 100mg is still preventing me from having good numbers of viable sperm. I guess I could drop down to 70mg and see what happens.

I've had my sperm count done every 6-7 weeks and it has improved from where it was in February (zero). Please don't quote me on this but I believe My last count was around 4 million they estimate. Which is far below the normal number it takes for an easy conception.

I lost a good deal of size dropping from 400mg to 100mgs, but believe it or not I feel much better. I'm down to 210lbs (from 240ish in January 2010).

I tried taking tribistan and humanofort to increase the numbers, who knows if it has been helping or not.

Since I'm just rambling on now, ill finish up by saying that in my opinion, testosterone would be a good contraceptive for men. Given the fact that it is used at a dose above 350./ a week and consistantly for over a year. That being said: at doses like that, the side effects would most likely do some damage to your body, either estrogen related or because of the way testosterone effects colligen negitivly.

Take my advice and just wear a freakin condom!

 

[panzerfaust]

aw nuts Now I'm worried about my testicles going to sleep for good, I'm going in the closet for an amp of HCG. I was shooting elhmers glue on my last cycle,no kidding.

 

[AJW91]

I've been dealing with a lot of these testosterone related side effects for a while now. I was running test around 400mg week for a couple years without going off cycle. We decided to have more children back in february of 2010 and I stopped the 400mg dose and dropped to 100mg week in hopes I would gain back my swimmers and get the job done. After 20 months I still haven't been able to get her pregnant. The urologist I'm seeing seems to think the 100mg is still preventing me from having good numbers of viable sperm. I guess I could drop down to 70mg and see what happens.

I've had my sperm count done every 6-7 weeks and it has improved from where it was in February (zero). Please don't quote me on this but I believe My last count was around 4 million they estimate. Which is far below the normal number it takes for an easy conception.

I lost a good deal of size dropping from 400mg to 100mgs, but believe it or not I feel much better. I'm down to 210lbs (from 240ish in January 2010).

I tried taking tribistan and humanofort to increase the numbers, who knows if it has been helping or not.

Since I'm just rambling on now, ill finish up by saying that in my opinion, testosterone would be a good contraceptive for men. Given the fact that it is used at a dose above 350./ a week and consistantly for over a year. That being said: at doses like that, the side effects would most likely do some damage to your body, either estrogen related or because of the way testosterone effects colligen negitivly.

Take my advice and just wear a freakin condom!

Have you been using HCG, clomid, or any other ancillaries in order to try to get your swimmers back?

 

[ironguy]

Deca and test = first kid for me