He keeps disappointing us, but we're still holding out hope.
On, 1988: the thunder god vine gives us hope.
Okay, not the very first. Men have been using various herbal remedies to prevent conception for millennia. But one of the first compounds to show male-birth-control possibilities in recent memory was Tripterygium wilfordii, sometimes called thunder god vine. As far back as 1986, research had shown that an extract of this vine could suppress male fertility, probably by hampering sperm development. A 1994 paper on the subject said the vine's potential contraceptive properties had "stimulated worldwide interest." Exciting!
Via: healthyfellow.com
Off, 2012: thunder god vine fails to make any big moves.
Except that more than 25 years later, despite some added research, we're pretty close to where we started with thunder god vine. A 2002 study opens pretty much exactly the way the 1994 one did: "The male antifertility effect of [...] Tripterygium wilfordii has attracted worldwide interest." It's not clear exactly why TW hasn't caught on more, though it could be because the plant also suppresses the immune system (in fact, drugs derived from it are already available to treat autoimmune disorders). Interesting, but not available — like so many an unreliable paramour, thunder god vine says someday, baby, someday.
Source: Green Jo / via: shutterstock.com
On, 2002: hormones suggest commitment at last.
In 2002, pharmaceutical companies Schering and Organon got together to work on a male hormonal contraceptive, similar to the female birth control pill. Two drug giants, working together — our hearts were aflutter.
Source: Maridav / via: shutterstock.com
Off, 2009: thwarted by needle phobia.
But their collaboration was scrapped in 2006, because the hormonal method would require too many injections (one method for women, Depo-Provera, requires an injection every three months, but never mind). All male-contraceptive work at Schering and Organon stopped by 2009, after both companies were bought out.
Source: Rannev / via: shutterstock.com
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