Kenyan men will take place in a research to determine the effectiveness of a new male contraceptive.
This topical treatment could add another simple, non-invasive option to the mix of the male contraceptive that is currently available - it's a hormonal gel that reduces sperm count when applied to the skin.
Researchers at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development will begin clinical trials on this gel, which has been in development for several years.
The team conducted a trial on a combination of two gels that successfully saw the number of sperms in their semen drop to less than 1 million per milliliter.
[caption caption="A doctor injecting a man during a research on male birth control"]
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In the gel, there is a combination of synthetic versions of the hormones progesterone and testosterone.
Progesterone analog, called nestorone, competes with the body's testosterone levels, reducing them in the testes just enough to prevent mature sperm from being made.
Additionally, the added boost of testosterone helps keep hormones balanced throughout the rest of the body.
Men will be rubbing half a teaspoon of the quick-drying liquid each day onto a body part, such as the upper arms or shoulders which will keep the sperm levels down for a couple of days.
The study will take place in a few hundred partnered test subjects scattered over the US, Chile, UK, Italy, and Kenya.
[caption caption="Sperms"]
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Male contraception is currently limited to condoms or the vasectomy which is a surgical procedure for male sterilization.
