Male birth control pill might finally be here- the burden of birth control has disproportionately fallen on women. That may soon change. A groundbreaking experimental male birth control pill, YCT-529, has successfully passed its first human safety trial — without any significant side effects. The result marks a pivotal step toward giving men more contraceptive options beyond condoms or vasectomy.

Developed through a collaboration between the University of Minnesota, Columbia University, and biotech company YourChoice Therapeutics, YCT-529 is distinct from previous male contraceptive attempts because it is non-hormonal. That means it sidesteps the hormonal manipulation that often causes side effects in traditional contraceptives, making it a potentially safer and more acceptable option for widespread use.

Unlike female birth control pills that regulate estrogen and progesterone, YCT-529 works by targeting a specific protein known as retinoic acid receptor alpha. This protein, activated by vitamin A derivatives, plays a critical role in sperm production and maturation. The drug effectively blocks the receptor, halting sperm production without impacting other bodily systems.

“The innovation here lies in how precisely this pill works,” explained Dr. Gunda Georg, professor at the University of Minnesota’s College of Pharmacy. “We’re not interfering with the body’s hormonal balance, which is a huge step forward in terms of safety and user experience.”

How the Male Contraceptive Pill Works?

The experimental male birth control pill, known as YCT-529, targets a specific protein called retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR-α)—a key player in sperm production. Normally, this receptor gets activated by a vitamin A derivative, which acts like a key turning on the body’s sperm-making machinery. YCT-529 blocks that key from fitting into the receptor, effectively shutting down the process.

By stopping this molecular interaction in the testes, the pill halts the formation and maturation of sperm. Scientists identified this mechanism by studying the receptor's structure and testing dozens of compounds to find one that could selectively block it.

In lab tests on male mice, the pill worked remarkably well. It brought sperm production to a halt within four weeks, was 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, and had no significant side effects. Importantly, the effects were reversible—mice regained fertility within four to six weeks after stopping the pill.

Unlike hormonal methods that can disrupt testosterone and cause mood or libido changes, this non-hormonal approach targets a specific biological pathway, making it a promising, low-risk alternative in male contraception research.

The initial preclinical testing in lab mice was promising: male mice treated with YCT-529 became temporarily infertile within four weeks. The drug had a 99% effectiveness rate in preventing pregnancy, and fertility rebounded four to six weeks after stopping treatment. Similar results were seen in nonhuman primates, where sperm counts dropped significantly but later recovered completely.

This encouraging data paved the way for a Phase 1 clinical trial involving 16 human volunteers aged 32 to 59 — all of whom had previously undergone vasectomies. This added layer of safety ensured that even in the event of unexpected long-term side effects, fertility would not be a concern.

Participants were divided into groups that received either a placebo, a low dose, or a high dose of the drug. Some took the pill on an empty stomach, while others took it after a meal to assess absorption differences.

No significant side effects were reported across any dose or condition. Heart rate, hormone levels, mood, inflammation, and sexual function all remained stable, a rare feat for early-stage contraceptive development.

While 16 people make for a strong safety signal, larger trials are needed to confirm YCT-529’s safety and, more importantly, its efficacy in real-world scenarios. Researchers are now moving ahead with longer studies involving daily use over 28 to 90 days. These new trials will monitor not just side effects, but changes in sperm count and motility, setting the stage for potential FDA approval.

Dr. Nadja Mannowetz, co-founder and chief science officer of YourChoice Therapeutics, emphasized that while the early data is encouraging, they're moving forward cautiously. “Our next trials will give us a much clearer picture of how this drug works in daily life — and whether it can become a reliable option for men everywhere.”

Currently, male contraception is stuck in the past. Only condoms and vasectomies are FDA-approved options for men, while women navigate a far more complex landscape of pills, patches, injections, implants, and IUDs — many of which come with long lists of side effects.

This imbalance has consequences. Nearly 75% of women say they believe both partners should be equally responsible for contraception, but the tools to support that belief simply don’t exist.

"A safe and effective male pill will provide more options to couples for birth control,” Dr. Georg noted. “It will allow a more equitable sharing of responsibility for family planning and provide reproductive autonomy for men.”

The journey to develop male contraception has been long and winding. Past attempts, particularly hormone-based options, stumbled due to low effectiveness or unpleasant side effects like mood swings, acne, or reduced libido. YCT-529 represents a dramatic departure from those efforts. By targeting the molecular machinery of sperm production, it gets the job done without compromising other bodily functions.

Still, hurdles remain. Even if the next stages of trials confirm its effectiveness, it could be years before YCT-529 is available to the public. Manufacturing, regulatory approval, public education, and access issues will all need to be addressed.

That said, the early buzz is unmistakable. Scientists are cautiously optimistic. Reproductive health advocates are hopeful. And couples around the world are watching closely.

This isn’t just about birth control. It’s about giving men agency over their reproductive choices, and relieving women of the disproportionate burden they’ve carried for decades. It’s about science catching up with society’s expectations.

As we enter a new era in contraceptive innovation, YCT-529 could become the first of many tools that give men a real seat at the table when it comes to family planning. The next phase of trials will tell us more. But for now, the signal is clear: male birth control is no longer science fiction. It’s becoming science fact and it’s arriving not a moment too soon.

Ultra-processed food (UPF) is linked to harm in every major organ system of the human body and poses a seismic threat to global health, according to the world’s largest review, as per The Lancet Study. The scientists, including the Brazilian professor who coined the term with colleagues around 15 years ago, argue that UPFs are now increasingly common worldwide and linked to a decline in diet quality and a number of diseases, from obesity to cancer.

What Are Ultra Processed Foods?

Ultra processed foods are factory-made products built from refined ingredients rather than whole foods. They usually contain additives such as preservatives, flavor enhancers, stabilizers or artificial colors that you would not use in an ordinary kitchen. Items like soft drinks, chips, packaged sweets and heat-and-eat meals fall into this group. They are created for convenience and taste, last a long time on shelves and often provide little real nourishment. In many cases, the final product no longer resembles the raw ingredients it came from.

Ultra Processed Food Are Now A Global Health Threat

The growing presence of ultra-processed foods in daily diets is now tied to serious health risks. A group of three papers published in The Lancet examined existing evidence and found clear links between UPFs and many non-communicable diseases. A report by The Guardian noted that UPFs are associated with harm across major organ systems. The review described these foods as a significant public health danger. It also stressed that worsening diets have become an urgent concern. The Lancet team called for stronger policies and wider public action to reduce the reach of UPFs and to make fresh and minimally processed foods easier to access.

The review, which combined findings from three papers, comes at a time when millions rely on UPF products such as ready meals, packaged cereals, protein bars, fizzy drinks and fast food. In both the UK and the US, more than half of a typical person’s daily intake now comes from UPFs. Among younger people and those from economically strained or underserved communities, a diet made up of nearly 80 percent UPF is common, according to the study.

How Are Ultra-Processed Food Harming Your Health?

UPFs are replacing fresh foods for children and adults across all regions. These products are linked with higher chances of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and depression, according to the Lancet study as per the Guardian report.

Professor Carlos Monteiro, a public health nutrition expert at the University of Sao Paulo and a contributor to The Lancet series, said the findings underline the need for immediate measures to address UPF consumption. He told The Guardian that rising intake of ultra-processed foods is changing diets everywhere, pushing aside fresh and minimally processed meals. The evidence from the first paper in the series pointed out that this shift from traditional food habits toward UPFs is playing a major role in the rise of many long-term diet-related illnesses around the world.

Ultra Processed Food: Proposal Of Policies

The second paper in the series outlined possible steps to reduce UPF production, marketing and intake. The third paper explained that large global corporations are steering the spread of UPFs, rather than individual choices, according to The Guardian coverage. Experts who were not part of the research welcomed the findings while also noting that more studies are needed. They cautioned that links do not always prove direct cause.

Ultra Processed Food: UPF Labelling On Products Should Be Mandatory

The researchers suggested that UPF ingredients should be clearly listed on the front of food packages. They also recommended warnings for high sugar, salt and saturated fat. They said this clarity is important because UPFs have become part of ordinary eating habits. From common breakfast cereals to packaged juices sold as organic, these products are everywhere.

Professor Marion Nestle of New York University said that improving diets across countries will require plans suited to each region’s needs and the level to which UPFs have become part of routine meals. She added that priorities may vary but action is necessary in all places to regulate ultra-processed foods, along with existing efforts to limit high fat, salt and sugar levels.

The two legendary German twins, Alice and Ellen Kessler, the greatest of entertainers, who rose to fame in the post war era died at the age of 89. They truly were inseparable, as they chose to leave the world in the same way they came, together. The sisters chose medically assisted dying on November 17, as reported by the German newspaper Bild.

The twin had shared that they "no longer wanted to live" and the decision to die together was made together with clarity and intention.

How Does Assisted Dying Work?

In terms of the Kessler Sisters, the police confirmed that there were no signs of foul play. The German Society for Humane Dying also stated that the sisters had chosen assisted suicide. This practice is legal in the country since 2019.

Read: Uruguay Becomes The First Catholic Latin American Country To Legalize Euthanasia

How Is Assisted Dying Different Than Euthanasia?

In assisting dying, the law allows and enables the individuals to self-administer the medication, so the choice and the agency to die remains with the individuals.

What Is Assisted Dying?

This refers to the practice of ending a person's life through medication. However, when the term 'dying' is replaced by 'suicide', the medication is then administered by self, whereas in other procedures, it may be done by a medical professional. Thus the term 'assisted dying' refers to both assisted suicide and euthanasia.

In assisted suicide, the person's will to die matters, and it may not require a terminal diagnosis. However, this definition to varies from country to country.

Also Read: Can Right To Die Be Practiced By Non-Terminally Ill Patients?

In many ways can assisted suicide be practiced including providing lethal medication, or helping the individual travel to another jurisdiction to die.

What Does The Law In Germany Say About Assisted Suicide?

In 2020, Germany's Federal Constitutional Court determined that individual autonomy should include the choice to die. This means that every person could decide for themselves. The law has a wider scope, which also includes any person helping an individual who has chosen to end their life, and they cannot be penalized for doing so. However, this condition only comes from the person who wants to end their life, and the decision must be taken freely.

The debate was introduced in 2015 due to the section 271 of the criminal code, which made assisted suicide almost impossible in Germany. The law stated that anyone who aided someone to take their own life could be jailed for up to three years.

Palliative sedation is administered to prevent suffering and ensure a dignified death. However, medication aims to relieve patients of unbearable pain, this is why its use as an alternative medically assisted suicide raises concerns. Currently, there is no approved medication for medically assisted suicide in Germany. though several medications are could be used, for instance in the United States, severely ill patients receive high doses of sodium pentobarbital and thiopental. However, pentobarbital is only approved for veterinary use in Germany.

In Germany, the intravenous route is often chosen, where the medication is administered through IV, and the patient must be the one opening the infusion. Doctors can assist but should not be directly involved in the act.

Every year on November 19, World COPD Day is organized to raise awareness, share knowledge and discuss ways to reduce the burden of COPD worldwide. COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and as per the World Health Organization (WHO), it is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide and has caused 3.5 million deaths in 2021 alone, of the 213 million people who were diagnosed with it. Projections indicate that the number of cases will increase to nearly 600 million by 2050, with a disproportionate rise expected among women and in low-and middle-income countries.

World COPD Day 2025 Theme

The theme for World COPD Day 2025 is 'Short of Breath, Think COPD'.

This year’s theme highlights a crucial issue: despite being the third leading cause of death globally, COPD is still widely overlooked and often misdiagnosed. Although it is a common, preventable, and treatable condition, many patients either remain undiagnosed or receive the wrong treatment. Early and accurate diagnosis can make a major public health difference, leading to better symptom control, improved lung function, and a higher quality of life.

Doctors stress that COPD should be suspected in anyone with persistent breathlessness, chronic cough, sputum production, recurrent lower respiratory infections, or a history of exposure to risk factors such as tobacco smoke, indoor cooking fuels, or occupational pollutants.

World COPD Day Origin

World COPD Day was launched in 2002 by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) in partnership with the WHO. The first event marked a turning point in global respiratory health awareness, encouraging collaboration across continents.

Importance Of World COPD Day

The importance lies in its ability to draw attention to one of the top causes of deaths worldwide. Furthermore, this day promotes awareness by educating the public about COPD symptoms, persistent cough, breathlessness, and chest tightness, which may be mistaken as symptoms of normal aging.

It also encourages prevention of COPD, especially by emphasizing on quitting smoking, improving air quality, and reducing workplace exposures that contribute to COPD.

It also helps in the improvement of healthcare access, supports research and innovation by encouraging collaborations, and reduces stigma by helping patients overcome psychological barrier and seek timely help.

What Is COPD?

As per NHS UK, it is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties. It includes:

• emphysema – damage to the air sacs in the lungs
• chronic bronchitis – long-term inflammation of the airways

COPD is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke. Many people do not realize they have it.

The breathing problems tend to get gradually worse over time and can limit your normal activities, although treatment can help keep the condition under control.

Common Symptoms of COPD

• shortness of breath, particularly when you're active
• a persistent chesty cough with phlegm – some people may dismiss this as just a "smoker's cough"
• frequent chest infections
• persistent wheezing