About this talk
Of the 6 million pregnancies in the U.S. each year, 3 million are unintended. And while we have over a dozen methods of contraceptives for women—from pills and patches to IUDs and rings—men have had the same two options for over a hundred years: condoms and vasectomy. Preventing unplanned pregnancy has largely been seen as a “women’s issue”, but andrologist John Amory is determined to change that.
John has dedicated his career to developing a male contraceptive that would not only help to reduce the stubbornly high rates of unintended pregnancy and abortion, but would also allow men to play an equal role in family planning. Watch John’s 2017 TEDMED Talk to learn why he believes the world needs a male “pill”.
About John Amory
See more
John Amory is a physician and a leading expert in male reproductive health. He is a professor and section head of General Internal Medicine at the University of Washington and a key researcher on new forms of male contraception. His research is focused on finding new options for birth control for men, as well as new treatments for male infertility. He has been a leader in the study of non-hormonal pills and other methods that could provide men with a reversible and effective way to control their fertility. For example, he has done important research on a type of drug called a retinoic acid inhibitor, which stops sperm production without affecting hormones. In addition to his research, John is an active physician at the University of Washington, where he treats patients in both the hospital and in his men’s health clinic. His work is critical for expanding reproductive health options and improving men’s health globally. He has published over 130 scientific papers and serves on the advisory board of the Male Contraception Initiative.
