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When most folks think of birth control, they generally think of contraception methods primarily geared toward women. Whether it's the pill she takes one time per day, a shot, the IUD, etc., in more cases than not, the responsibility of birth control largely falls on women.

However, this could be changing soon. For some time now, there have been various efforts in the scientific community to develop a birth control drug for men.

New developments now indicate that steps forward are being made in the work to ensure men have access to birth control.

The latest updates on birth control for men

According to information from a Nature Communications study, a new drug for male birth control that was tested on mice produced some promising results. For now, this drug can definitively stop the flow of sperm within mice, 30 minutes post-injection.

However, 2.5 hours past the injection time, the sperm picked up movement. One day later, the sperm in the mice returned to its full functionality.

Despite these newfound developments, the scientific community confirms the drug still has a long way to go before tests on humans are appropriate.

In the meantime, the work continues. Although Nature Communications' study indicates one step closer to women and men being on a level playing field when it comes to a variety of different birth control options.

A rising demand for more birth control?

In recent years, there has been an uptick in people delaying parenthood, if not forgoing it altogether. This trend alone indicates a high likelihood of well-received male birth control by the public when it's finally ready to hit the market.

Another contraception option will provide another layer of protection for couples who are sexually active, yet not looking to conceive. However, the work ahead on the male birth control drug is going to reveal what it's actually capable of by the time it's available for distribution.

Currently, women who take birth control pills generally do so at a specified time each day. A birth control drug for men may very well work in the same fashion. Ultimately, time will tell.