Project Summary
Vasalgel is a new male contraceptive being developed by the Parsemus Foundation’s social venture, Revolution Contraceptives, to fill the need for a non-hormonal, long-acting, reversible male method.
- Despite currently available contraceptives, 85 million unintended pregnancies (40%) occur annually worldwide.
- Men currently have little choice when it comes to contraception. Vasectomy is considered permanent, and condoms have a high failure rate with typical use.
- While women have more options, many methods are discontinued due to side effects.
- Men and women are demanding more options for contraception, especially male methods.
- Research shows that about half of men surveyed would be willing to use a new male contraceptive.
- Long-acting, reversible, and non-hormonal methods are preferred.
- The Parsemus Foundation has supported the development of Vasalgel, a long-acting, non-hormonal male contraceptive that is designed to be reversible.
- Vasalgel blocks the flow of sperm from the body with an injection of a gel into the vas deferens.
- Revolution Contraceptives, the social venture company developing Vasalgel, believes in empowering men worldwide to better control their reproduction with a reliable, safe, cost-effective, and reversible contraceptive.
Project Topics
Vasalgel, a multi-year contraceptive
VasalgelTM is being developed as a long-acting, non-hormonal contraceptive with a significant advantage over vasectomy: it is likely to be more reversible. The procedure is similar to a no-scalpel vasectomy, except a gel is injected into the vas deferens (the tube the sperm swim through), rather than cutting the vas (as is done in vasectomy). If a man wishes to restore the flow of sperm, whether after months or years, the polymer would be dissolved and flushed out.
In early 2010, the Parsemus Foundation began developing Vasalgel as a new vas-occlusive polymer contraceptive. Revolution Contraceptives was created to bring the product to market. This social venture company’s mission is to empower men worldwide to better control their reproduction with a reliable, safe, cost-effective, and reversible contraceptive.
Stay engaged with Vasalgel
Stay Connected
- Follow Vasalgel’s progress on Facebook and Twitter, and join the Vasalgel email list to receive updates.
Visit the Revolution Contraceptives website
- Visit the Revolution Contraceptives website to get more information on Vasalgel.
Reproductive Health News
Supporting the future of male contraceptive research
The Male Contraceptive Initiative’s Youth Advisory Board recently selected four undergraduate students for awards to fund research in male contraception. The Parsemus Foundation is proud
Small grant funding available for undergraduate projects on contraception
The Male Contraceptive Initiative announced that the Youth Advisory Board Undergraduate Project Grant program is accepting applications until September 30, 2021. The grant aims to
Reproductive rights advance in Argentina
Years of grassroots efforts to support women’s reproductive rights was recently successful in legalizing abortion in Argentina. Argentina’s president, Alberto Fernández, was a supporter and
Supporting the future of male contraceptive research
The Male Contraceptive Initiative’s Youth Advisory Board recently selected four undergraduate students for awards to fund research in male contraception. The Parsemus Foundation is proud
Small grant funding available for undergraduate projects on contraception
The Male Contraceptive Initiative announced that the Youth Advisory Board Undergraduate Project Grant program is accepting applications until September 30, 2021. The grant aims to
Reproductive rights advance in Argentina
Years of grassroots efforts to support women’s reproductive rights was recently successful in legalizing abortion in Argentina. Argentina’s president, Alberto Fernández, was a supporter and
Planning for new male contraceptives
Elaine Lissner, founder of the Parsemus Foundation, recently participated in an ideation workshop in San Francisco for the Male Contraceptive Initiative (MCI). The goal of
