In Trials
Injectable Hydrogel AH
ADAM Hydrogel
A long-acting, non-hormonal hydrogel implant for male contraception; Phase 1 is completed and Phase 2 is approved to begin in Australia.
Male Contraceptive GelClinical Trials
In Development
Male Contraceptive Gel
A long-acting male contraceptive in development (vas-occlusion hydrogel) that blocks the vas deferens with an injectable polymer gel.
Last verified:
Method at a Glance
EfficacyIn trials
see detailsDurationLong-acting (intended for 10+ years)
CostUnknown
ReversibilityReversible
STI ProtectionNo
PrescriptionOTC
Available Products
3 products in this category
Specific branded items that use this method. Compare manufacturer details, active ingredients, and regulatory status.
In Trials
Injectable Gel RI
RISUG
An investigational polymer gel injected into the vas deferens; Phase 3 trials in India are completed and results have been published. Uses a styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer.
Male Contraceptive Gel In Trials
Injectable Hydrogel VA
Vasalgel
A hydrogel injected into the vas deferens that blocks sperm; now in Phase 2 human clinical trials as Plan A by NEXT Life Sciences.
Male Contraceptive GelThe details
What the evidence says
How well it works, what to watch for, who should avoid it, and the studies behind it.
How well it works
In trials
In clinical trials; efficacy data not yet available.
How was this measured?▾
An SMA copolymer gel Phase 3 in India: a 303-man trial was published in Andrology (Longdom Publishing) in 2023 and a limited Phase III trial (139 men, PMID 31571633) reported 82.7% azoospermia at first semen exam. A first-in-human safety/feasibility study (NCT05134428) is completed and a Phase 2 occlusion/reversal feasibility study (NCT07361120) is recruiting. None of these is available as a marketed product yet.
Cost & insurance
Unknown
Not yet available outside clinical trials; pricing not established
Insurance CoverageVaries
Duration & reversibility
Lasts forLong-acting (intended for 10+ years)
Reversibility
Reversible
STI ProtectionNo
The science
Clinical classVas-occlusion hydrogel
How it works in the body
A clinician injects a polymer gel into the vas deferens. The gel blocks sperm from passing through while allowing other fluids to pass. The goal is a second injection to flush the gel for reversal.
Regulatory status
StatusClinical Trials
Used forBirth control
PrescriptionOTC
Side effects
- Temporary swelling or discomfort at injection site
- Long-term safety data still being collected
Who shouldn't use this
- •Not yet established in human trials(Clinical safety data are not yet available because the product is still in trials)
The full picture
What to know about Male Contraceptive Gel
What it is
Vas-occlusion hydrogels are long-acting male contraceptives in development. A clinician injects a polymer gel into the vas deferens, where it blocks sperm from passing through while allowing other fluids to pass. The goal is a second injection to flush the gel out for reversal, but long-term human reversal data are still limited.
Research and approval status
Several polymer and hydrogel formulations are in development. An SMA copolymer gel completed Phase 3 trials in India; an expanded Phase III trial of 303 men was published in Andrology (Longdom Publishing) in 2023, and a limited Phase III trial of 139 men reported 82.7% azoospermia at first semen exam. A first-in-human safety/feasibility study is completed, and a Phase 2 occlusion/reversal study is recruiting. Neither product is available outside clinical trials.
Side effects and cautions
The procedure is less invasive than vasectomy and is intended to be reversible. Common temporary side effects include swelling or discomfort at the injection site. Long-term safety data are still being collected.
Where to get it
You can follow trial progress on ClinicalTrials.gov or through organizations like Male Contraceptive Initiative. When approved, urologists or trained clinicians would perform the procedure.
The studies
Clinical trials behind Male Contraceptive Gel
The research that backs Male Contraceptive Gel, with links to the public trial records.
Phase 3Completed
SMA copolymer gel Phase 3 (India; CTRI REF/2017/09/015469)
ClinicalTrials.gov: REF/2017/09/015469N/ACompleted
Hydrogel first-in-human safety/feasibility study (NCT05134428)
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05134428Phase 2Recruiting
Hydrogel Phase 2 occlusion/reversal feasibility study (NCT07361120)
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07361120Keep exploring
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