Giant Condom Outside EU Parliament: More Research on Contraception Needed - Giant condom outside EU Parliament spotlights lack of male birth control options
A towering seven-metre condom now stands outside the European Parliament to highlight a pressing issue. Despite advances in women's contraception, men still have very few options—just condoms and sterilisation. Meanwhile, 257 million women globally lack proper access to birth control, resulting in 121 million unintended pregnancies each year.
The German Foundation for World Population (DSW) is pushing for greater investment in male contraceptive research. Currently, women can choose from a wide range of methods, while men have almost none. But new alternatives are in the works, including pills, gels, reversible vasectomies, and heat-based techniques.
At least four male contraceptive candidates are moving through trials as of March 2026. The NES/T gel and NLS-133 pill are both in Phase II testing. The YCT-529 pill has reached Phase 1b/2a, and the ADAM implant is in Phase I. These innovations could expand men's choices significantly. Yet without stronger funding and political backing, these methods may stay out of reach for years. Demand is rising, but progress depends on sustained support.
The giant condom display underscores the gap in contraceptive options for men. If approved, the new methods in development could help reduce unintended pregnancies worldwide. But their success hinges on continued research funding and regulatory approval.
