Soon, it will men's turn to get contraceptive shot

Men are expected to share the role of birth control with a contraceptive shot that will be available in three to five years, scientists said.

The male contraceptive is still in the development stage. One injection could prevent unwanted pregnancy for several months, said Xu Qitai, dean of the Medical College of Henan University in central Henan Province, which is spearheading the research, Henan Business Daily reported today.

"The medicine works like a heavy burden for sperms, weakening their ability to bind with the egg," Xu explained.

To ease people's worry that the injection might permanently damage their potency, Xu said its contraceptive effect is reversible. Once men stop taking the shot, the sperms will regain their vitality.

So far the birth control injection is still in lab development and hasn't been tested on animals or in clinic. The product may hit the market in three to five years.

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