Sexual counterpart of hormonal male contraception.

In recent years much progress has been made in the development of hormonal male contraception. Hormone induced azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia provides effective contraceptive but little is known on how hormonal combinations affect the sexuality of men and of couples especially because studies performed so far have been generally small, of relatively short duration and have not included placebo groups. Regimens resulting in supraphysiological testosterone levels influence some aspects of sexual arousal, with negligible modification of sexual behaviour, aspects more related to cultural and social factors. When progestins are administered in combination with Testosterone (T), the effects depend on the characteristics of the progestin but relevant effects on sexuality and mood were not reported even with these formulations. Acceptability of male hormonal contraceptives is high in both men and women but once the final formulation is on the market, cultural, social, as well as sexual adjustments of the couples are expected. The study of the influence of hormonal male contraceptives on different aspects of sexuality is an important aspect for the future success of this formulations and will need to be evaluated once a final formulation is developed.