While effective, oral contraceptives for women have a whole host of problems.  They’re expensive (and, as the whole Sandra Fluke ordeal proved, often not covered by certain insurance companies), they require daily doses, and the hormonal effects can alter the emotional states of women who take them.

What if, instead, we could develop a cheap contraceptive that lasts ten years after a single dose and has absolutely no side effects?  If it sounds too good to be true, check this out:

The procedure called RISUG in India (reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance) takes about 15 minutes with a doctor, is effective after about three days, and lasts for 10 or more years.

…The chemicals themselves cost less than the syringe used to administer them.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention: this procedure is for men.  For that reason alone, I am skeptical that it will take off in the United States any time soon.  I can already imagine the douchebag contingent whining that babies and birth control are woman things and men shouldn’t have to pay for something like birth control. (ughhh.)

But, if this procedure passes all safety checks, I sure hope that it becomes the standard birth control procedure.  Did I mention that it might also prove effective in reducing the incidence of HIV transmission?  It’s also completely reversible! We could potentially administer the treatment to teenage males and watch the teen pregnancy rate plummet!  I see no downside here.

Here’s an illustration of how the procedure works:

Kill ALL the sperm!

(Thanks to Terry M. for the link.)