A group of scientists at the  University of Minnesota have  developed a male contraceptive pill for men. The pill is a non-hormonal pill that was successful in keeping lab mice sterile for six weeks. No side effects were reported. When the mice stopped taking the pill, they were able to reproduce again.

Human trials are set to begin this year but no date is confirmed as of yet.

Other attempts were for developing a male contraceptive pill have been unsuccessful. One medicine, Dimethandrolone undecanoate (DMAU), caused significant side effects in human trial participants, including acne, headaches,  and tiredness. Side effects of DMAU include mild weight gain and mild decreases in levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Low estrogen levels were reported and associated symptoms such as reduced sexual function and decreased bone mineral density.

Women have been used to some of these types of side effects in their current birth control pills, but men were not likely to accept these conditions.