The 'male pill' is finally here - with scientists testing a gel that's rubbed into the shoulders and an 'after dinner' tablet that could avoid the need for condoms
It has taken quite some time – but a male contraceptive 'pill' may finally soon be a reality.
More than half a century since the first female pill was approved for use in the UK, scientists are at last testing a range of options that could mean men no longer have to rely solely on condoms and vasectomies. Options include a gel that's rubbed onto a man's shoulders, and an 'after dinner' daily pill.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
23 minutes ago
- BBC News
New ultrasound forecast to cut Addenbrooke's treatment times
NHS patents will be the first in Europe outside a trial setting to have access to a liver cancer treatment described as "cutting-edge and non-invasive".Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge will start using a histotopsy system, an ultrasound treatment that can be delivered in a single short session. It could potentially take no longer than 30 minutes with limited or no pain and a quick Sinker, chief executive of Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH), said the technology could make a "huge difference" and reduce cancer treatment times. The Edison Histotripsy System, made by US-based HistoSonics, is expected to be fully installed at CUH later this year. It will initially be used to treat patients with primary and secondary liver tumours, and research is exploring its potential on treating other hard-to-reach Sinker said: "Histotripsy is an exciting new technology that will make a huge difference to patients. "By offering this non-invasive, more targeted treatment, we can care for more people as outpatients and free up time for surgeons to treat more complex cases. "The faster recovery times mean patients will be able to return to their normal lives more quickly, which will also reduce pressure on hospital beds, helping us ensure that patients are able to receive the right treatment at the right time." The incisionless surgery uses pulsed sound waves to create "bubble clouds" from gases present in the targeted form and collapse in microseconds, creating mechanical forces able to destroys tumours without surgery, scalpels or has been procured following a donation to the University of Cambridge from the Li Ka Shing Foundation, a supporter of cancer research at the Deborah Prentice, vice-chancellor of the university, said: "Through his longstanding support of cancer research at Cambridge, Sir Ka-shing Li continues to make a significant impact on outcomes for cancer patients. "Cutting-edge technology such as this histotripsy machine allows Cambridge to remain at the forefront of understanding and treating cancer, a position we aim to strengthen further with Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital."Previously, 23 patients from Europe were recruited in a histotripsy clinical trial. More than 1,500 patients worldwide have received the treatment, mainly in the United States. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
23 minutes ago
- BBC News
NHS, defence, education and more in focus for voters in government's Spending Review
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing more difficult choices in the Spending Review on will sets the budgets for all government departments over the next few review will confirm how much taxpayers' money will be spent on the NHS, defence, police, education and other public services used by millions, as well as how much money the government plans to invest in projects like new public she makes her final preparations, people living in Cleckheaton in West Yorkshire outlined what they think her priority should be. 'The NHS is on its knees' Melissa Marley, 32, has spent the last two years studying at the University of Huddersfield to become a midwife but has quit her course after amassing debt of £60,000 and said there was "no hope for jobs at the end of it".The mother-of-three would like the chancellor to put more money into the NHS because it is "on its knees" and added "people abroad would kill for a system like that, so it needs protecting". Originally from Wakefield, she went back into education in 2021 to provide a better life for her began training as a nurse in 2022 before training as a midwife in well as £20,000 of tuition fees, she also owes about £40,000 in her maintenance grant accrued through her studies over the past few was originally going to defer due to health issues but decided to stop her course and is now hoping to become a maternity support role supports midwives, rather than being a midwife said the lack of jobs in midwifery was "sad because there are so many people putting so much work in. "They are working hard, having to miss times with their family, their children and then to have nothing at the end of it is sad". 'A less stable world' Pensioner John Addison agreed that a big part of the Spending Review had to be more funding for the NHS .He said that it was "hard work getting appointments".Mr Addison expressed his concern about spending on defence - and how more money was needed for that. He explained that he worried about the future for his grandchildren and younger people growing up in a less stable said that the Army had "been run down lately so we need to up it a bit because you never know what is around the corner with what's going off in the world." Earlier this month, a British defence review published recommendations which welcomed the government's ambition to spend 3% of Gross Domestic Product by 2034 but warned "as we live in more turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster."Several Nato allies have already committed to spending more than 5%. School buildings 'in a terrible state' Bill and Pauline Wardlaw would like to see funds focused on the education system and investing in the future. Bill was particularly concerned about problems with school said they were in "a terrible state" which meant "children are going to school in inadequate buildings and a lot of money should be spent getting them up to a decent standard".Pauline agreed with her husband but would also money spent on ensuring infrastructure around new housing estates is in place. She said when new housing is built "they need to make sure there is provision for the people that they are going to put in those houses - like doctors, education, schools etc because it is just not there".Ms Wardlaw was also frustrated with trying to get a GP appointment: "It's three weeks before you can see a doctor unless you ring up at 08:00 and then you are in a queue." 'Support for mums is needed' Beth Flannagan-Jones was out with her 16 month old daughter wanted to see more cash targeted at activities and support groups for mothers and babies. She said toddler groups could help mums who felt "alone".Ms Flannagan-Jones said there were "a couple of options but many of them are private and you have to pay for them"."If you have not got a lot of money and are on a budget I think a few more council groups and mum groups are missing," she added. 'Green investments need oversight' Pensioner David Lumb acknowledged the cuts to winter fuel allowance had been damaging to Labour party as some older people relied on the payment. He backed a more targeted approach to the benefit - which seemed to chime with the announced on Monday changes to the level the benefit would be paid at, meaning 75% of pensioners would now be eligible. His biggest priority was the NHS citing "the way the nation relied" on the service during the pandemic. However, Mr Lumb said he would also like to see more investment in green initiatives, but when it comes to home insulation he said it depended on "how efficiently it is done". "Quite often the government sponsor these things and they aren't properly monitored," he added. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
23 minutes ago
- BBC News
Earley MP Yuan Yang praises school's money-saving solar panels
A school will have more money to spend on education thanks to government-funded solar panels, an MP has government announced in March that it was investing £180m installing solar panels in schools and hospitals across the first 11 schools have now had them put in - including Whiteknights Primary School in Reading, which is expected to save around £4,500 a year as a result."Overall that means less money spent on energy and heating bills [and] more money to for the school to actually spend on students' education," said MP for Earley and Woodley Yuan Yang. The Labour MP visited the school on Monday, alongside climate minister Kerry McCarthy. She said she spoke to schoolchildren about climate change and how it should be tackled. "They wanted to talk about all sorts of things, from saving energy to transport," she said."It's often the children who asked the most incitive questions about climate change and the future."Climate minister Kerry McCarthy said the fact schools could save money on their bills was proof that the transition to green power could directly benefit communitiesGreat British Energy is a new publicly owned company set up by the Labour Yang said the solar panels, which would continue generating electricity throughout the weekends and school holidays to be sold back to the national grid, were "a really key investment"."All of this together is part of a diverse energy mix and the more different sources of renewable generation then the more robust - the more secure - an energy system is," she said. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
