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Researchers have discovered a “universal contraceptive” made naturally

Finally, we have birth control of the future. No, we are not talking about a can of coke that people somehow thought would work as a morning-after pill!

Scientists have figured out the way to solve some of the most common problems due to traditional birth control methods. They are targeting the mechanism which powers sperm’s “drilling” capabilities.

The “Power kick” as they prefer calling it is CatSper, an ion channel that activates once sperm gets close to an egg.

The researchers have tested over 50 chemical compounds to find a way for turning off the sperm’s “power kick” and discovered two chemicals lupeol and pristimerin.

The two naturally occurring compounds may be useful for developing a more effective and less controversial form of emergency contraception. The compounds would prevent sperm from attaching to an egg altogether.

They claim that this method will be ten times more effective than any other in the market. The lead researcher said that the chemical compounds could lend themselves to a “universal contraceptive”  one that would work for both male and female reproductive systems.

Every now and then, the researchers are searching for new birth control ideas. In March 2016, pharmaceutical developers from Parsemus Foundation had almost bought Vasagel, a polymer injected into the vas deferens, on the market. But at that time, they were still unsure of how long the injection of Vasalgel would last.

Now Vasalgel has taken a more promising step, proving that it may be effective for around ten years in a February study, which tested the birth control on monkeys.

Since women have more responsibility when it comes to birth control, male birth control might take that burden off a little bit.

The UC Berkeley researchers’ discovery might benefit both sexes and could make it more appealing to Big Pharma, so a future with male birth control could be more feasible than ever.

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