When Hong Kong asked for men to be birth-control-pill guinea pigs
‘A male pill would also promote male responsibility for contraception,’ the Family Planning Association said when calling for trial volunteers in 1977
“Preliminary results of the tests here and overseas have been encouraging – as a contraceptive it works, fertility returns after treatment is stopped and the Pill has very few side effects, much less than the female contraceptive Pill. But only 15 men have volunteered in Hongkong and the study requires 30 ‘guinea pigs’.
“Doctors conducting the tests, who asked not to be named for ethical reasons, yesterday said the trial consists of three phases: Three months of pre-treatment observation, four months treatment, and three months post-treatment. Three Hongkong men have completed the 10 months with no side effects and want to take the Pill when it is generally available. Another three are in the post-treatment phase, two are taking the Pill and seven are in pre-treatment.
“The chemical pill works by negating the male hormone just enough to reduce the sperm count and decreasing the sperm’s motility. To cover travel expenses, volunteers are paid $20 for each monthly visit to the doctors.”
On March 14, 1979, the Post reported that “the results have not been evaluated, but it is believed they are good”.
“The compound used in the pill, cuipro terone acetate, was originally used to treat excessive sexual desire. Research established that it reduced the production and mobility of sperm. Some of the volunteers complained of a loss of sexual desire and said they would prefer a monthly injection to taking a pill every day.