A study has been welcomed, which concludes that men who take hormonal contraception (which prevents sperm production) do not suffer long-term infertility.
There had been concern that men using hormonal contraception might not be able to return to full sperm production afterwards. These contraceptive treatments are given by injection or implant.
The American research suggests that a man having contraceptive treatment for a year could find his fertility sperm level restored in less than five months. (Often women who have used contraception find they need some time off treatment before they are able to conceive.)
It also suggests that being older, having higher sperm concentrations before contraceptive treatment began, and being on treatment for less time, can all contribute to a swifter return to fertility.
This news will advance the cause for introducing new forms of male contraception, beyond the use of condoms or vasectomy.
