Scientists at Cornell University may be closing in on the long-sought “holy grail” of male contraception: a safe, reversible, nonhormonal method that completely halts sperm production. In a breakthrough mouse study, researchers used a compound called JQ1 to temporarily shut down meiosis—the critical process that produces sperm—without causing lasting harm. After treatment stopped, sperm production bounced back, fertility returned, and the animals produced healthy offspring.
Other than the psychological trauma of having smaller balls, there isn’t much in terms of permanent damage. Men on fitness forums claim their testosterone permanently crashes, but this demographic tends towards hypochondria and body dysmorphia. Although this particular side effect can be prevented with HCG injections, this would restore fertility.