Trials of a revolutionary ‘switch-on/off’ contraceptive could begin in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand as early as next year and the company is looking for men aged 25-65 to take part.

Abortion remains a top issue this election cycle. The uncertainty surrounding reproductive rights since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade has led to a sharp increase in vasectomies and tubal ligations, and has also added fuel to the push to create male contraceptives. National Health Reporter Erin Billups looks at where things stand and at the timeline for getting these options to market.

A research lab in Flagstaff, Ariz., is trying to leverage a 1970s discovery into a safe and desirable alternative for men who want to prevent pregnancy.

For decades, birth control has become mainly a woman’s responsibility; however, honey-like liquid in vials from a small Flagstaff lab could hold the key to reversible and nonhormonal male birth control.

The product, and ones like it, has been eagerly awaited for years. Discussion around it has become more prominent in the last few days since Wednesday’s Arizona Supreme Court decision that created a mostly-no-abortion environment in the state.

Nearly half of all pregnancies worldwide are unplanned. And despite the many birth control options for women in the U.S., 1 in 5 say they aren’t using their ideal method. A startup biotech company in Flagstaff says the answer is birth control for men. And they’re working to make that idea a reality.

Being dubbed the ‘IUD’ for men (coil if you’re a Brit), Plan A™ is aiming to bring the first non-hormonal, long-lasting and reversible male contraception to the market. If you’re someone who’s struggled with the female birth control options, then this may be music to your ears. You may also have questions.

We spoke to L.R. Fox, the CEO and Founder of Next Life Sciences (the company behind Plan A™) about all things male birth control.

NEXT Life Sciences has most recently concluded a successful clinical evaluation of its new proprietary delivery method. Based on the results of this evaluation, it is expected that Plan A™ Contraception’s novel delivery method will be easier than historical intraluminal vas deferens delivery methods.

“With Plan A™, our goal is to change lives by giving men the ability to participate equally in family planning, so that couples have a more equitable relationship and the tools needed to be intentional about their futures,” said Health Transformer L.R. Fox, CEO & Founder of NEXT Life Sciences.