Quote:If I were going to describe the perfect contraceptive, it would go something like this: no babies, no latex, no daily pill to remember, no hormones to interfere with mood or sex drive, no negative health effects whatsoever, and 100 percent effectiveness. The funny thing is, something like that currently exists.

The procedure called RISUG in India (reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance) takes about 15 minutes with a doctor, is effective after about three days, and lasts for 10 or more years. A doctor applies some local anesthetic, makes a small pinhole in the base of the scrotum, reaches in with a pair of very thin forceps, and pulls out the small white vas deferens tube. Then, the doctor injects the polymer gel (called Vasalgel here in the US), pushes the vas deferens back inside, repeats the process for the other vas deferens, puts a Band-Aid over the small hole, and the man is on his way. If this all sounds incredibly simple and inexpensive, that’s because it is. The chemicals themselves cost less than the syringe used to administer them. But the science of what happens next is the really fascinating part.

The two common chemicals — styrene maleic anhydride and dimethyl sulfoxide — form a polymer that thickens over the next 72 hours, much like a pliable epoxy, but the purpose of these chemicals isn’t to harden and block the vas deferens. Instead, the polymer lines the wall of the vas deferens and allows sperm to flow freely down the middle (this prevents any pressure buildup), and because of the polymer’s pattern of negative/positive polarization, the sperm are torn apart through the polyelectrolytic effect. On a molecular level, it’s what supervillains envision will happen when they stick the good guy between two huge magnets and flip the switch.

Easier than aiming magnets at your junk.



With one little injection, this non-toxic jelly will sit there for 10+ years without you having to do anything else to not have babies. Set it and forget it. Oh, and when you do decide you want those babies, it only takes one other injection of water and baking soda to flush out the gel, and within two to three months, you’ve got all your healthy sperm again.

The trouble is, most people don’t even know this exists. And if men only need one super-cheap shot every 10 years or more, that’s not something that gets big pharmaceutical companies all fired up, because they’ll make zero money on it (even if it might have the side benefit of, you know, destroying HIV).

If this sounds awesome for you or your loved one, get the word out. Share this article. Or this link. Or this one. Or this one. Sign this petition. Do something! A revolutionary contraceptive like this needs all the support it can get.

Panacea Wrote:Not gonna lie, the thought of having them go in and do that makes me squirm.

Blake Wrote:I hear homosexuality is pretty effective too, and it's been around for centuries.

icephoenix21 Wrote:I think I'd rather just have the responsibility of birth control..y'know since guys don't have to worry about a baby growing inside them >_>

saptazapta Wrote:[INDENT]I'm a bit skeptical of claims of "100% effectiveness", especially of something that's supposed to somehow wear off over time. At 9.5 years it's 100% effective, but at 10 years it's not? Regardless of conditions like temperature, pressure, or, umm, frequency of use?
Such a nice round number, 10 years...

Anyway, I wish them luck with the research. [/INDENT]

Takebacker Wrote:If that splinter caused... ...HIV that is.

KhainiWest Wrote:...THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS CONSEQUENCE-LESS SEX. EVER. IT'S ALL A LIE. A LIE I SAY.

SaptaZapta Wrote:I'm a bit skeptical of claims of "100% effectiveness", especially of something that's supposed to somehow wear off over time. At 9.5 years it's 100% effective, but at 10 years it's not? Regardless of conditions like temperature, pressure, or, umm, frequency of use?
Such a nice round number, 10 years...

Anyway, I wish them luck with the research.

icephoenix21 Wrote:I think I'd rather just have the responsibility of birth control..y'know since guys don't have to worry about a baby growing inside them >_>

KhainiWest Wrote:"Ye girl I got the needle, don't worry about it!"

Durex Wrote:I am not having a needle going in that area. And besides what if you actually want a baby? Is it reversible? Or do you have to wait 10 years?

KhainiWest Wrote:They can reverse it with water and baking soda.

Viaje Wrote:A couple issues with that statement (that lead to my issue with the article).

If the 'splinter' in this scenario is reproductive-cable sperm, then labeling it as the "cause" of HIV is inaccurate.
In fact, it's not even a method of transmission; semen is.

Now, the idea that this procedure would have the side-effect of destroying HIV in semen is still all theory.
Even the study that the article links to is just an abstract, an abstract from 2005 no less, and I can't find anything anywhere that shows any evidence that that study concluded that the procedure would eliminate HIV in semen.
The best I can find is that the study is seemingly on-going.

Assuming that the study does conclude that the procedure eliminates HIV in semen, it would no doubt be an amazing step in preventing further transmission of the disease, it wouldn't affect the risk of infection through other fluids.

As far as being a just a birth-control method, I only really see this particular procedure being really useful in a long-term, monogamous relationship. Then it's great because I know how much birth-control pills can alter a person.
Otherwise, the most recommended method of contraception is using condoms because they have the added bonus of preventing STI transmission.

CrazyForDex Wrote:>Homosexuality is effective against AIDS.

Interesting method, I was worried that if people suddenly wanted to have a baby that they would have to wait the full 10 years, but it seems doctors found a way around that too. Something like this just seems too good to be true, even though I'm not really for the whole "tear up my sperm pls" idea.