New Zealand

Would Kiwi blokes take the male contraceptive pill? We hit the streets to ask

"I wouldn't trust it."

Huge medical breakthroughs are happening in the world of contraception right now, with a hormone-free pill for men recently passing its first safety test. 

Researchers from two US universities have teamed up with a biopharmaceutical company to develop the drug, which uses a chemical called YCT-529 to effectively stop sperm production. 

Previous attempts to create a male contraceptive pill had been binned due to side effects similar to what many women experience while on 'the pill' - such as weight gain, acne, nausea and mood changes. 

A small group of men who trialled the new medication didn't experience any serious side effects, and the pill was reportedly well tolerated by all of them. 

While there's still more research to be done to determine just how effective the pill is at preventing pregnancy, it seems a legitimate oral contraceptive for guys could well be on the horizon. 

We wanted to know: Would Kiwi men be keen to take it?

On Auckland's busy Ponsonby Road, the results were mixed. One man told us, "I don't take any pills, actually", and in fact, also didn't agree with any form of contraception. "Just natural," he said. 

Another told us: "I just don't think it's necessary for us men." 

Several who spoke to us said they'd prefer to stick to using condoms, citing the lack of protection against STDs as a reason they wouldn't take the pill. 

Others straight up said they "wouldn't trust it", or would be concerned how about side effects would impact them daily. 

Meanwhile, there were plenty of men who had little or no hesitation about taking the drug. "Why not?" one asked simply, while others said it "wasn't fair" for the responsibility of taking daily medication to prevent pregnancy to only fall on women. 

"If there were side effects, I'm sure I'd manage them," one guy said.

Another asked, "If they make one with no side effects for men, I don't see why they couldn't make one for women?" 

Great question. 

Check out the video above to see what Kiwi men think about taking the contraceptive pill.