Male birth control pill passes early safety test, with more trials underway

A man holds small white pills in his hand with a glass of water.

An experimental, hormone-free male birth control pill has just passed its first safety test in humans.

The trial included 16 people and was only intended to test whether the drug reached adequate levels in the body, as well as whether it triggered any serious side effects, such as concerning changes in heart rate, hormone function, inflammation, mood or sexual function.