From condoms to birth control pills, the types of contraceptives seem endless. But German inventor Clemens Bimek might add another one to the shelf.

Bimek recently introduced the Bimek SLV, a small device for men that stops the flow of sperm. The devices are attached to the vas deferens, the two ducts that transfer sperm from the testicles to the urethra. During insertion, each duct is cut and the ends are placed into the in-and-out tubes of a valve.

With the literal flip of a switch, the contraceptive will make its user temporarily sterile. The switch can be flipped through the scrotum’s skin and once it’s closed, it’ll stay in that position for three months to prevent accidental switching.

According to advertisements, these shutoff valves are the size of gummy bears. They are made of non-magnetic metallic components and a biocompatible polymer, which are used in medical implants.

If all these medical terms and components are getting confusing, compare the vas deferens to a garden hose and the sperm to running water. If you place your hand on the center of the hose and squeeze it, water will stop flowing. That’s basically how this contraption works.

Scott Pitnick, a biology professor at Syracuse University with a specialization in sexual selection, speciation, evolution of reproductive and life history traits, said that while the Bimek SLV is a clever idea, it could come with many consequences.

“If the testes don’t have a release, it’s going to get weighed down. That’s a problem — you’d get back-up,” Pitnick said. “If the factory keeps running, and nothing’s coming out, something’s got to give. I think in this case, without knowledge, I do worry of a build up in sperm supply.”

Pitnick added that the backup from this device has the additional risk of causing vessels to rupture, which would be problematic. But he does believe there could be an answer to this sticky situation: masturbation.

“Open the gates occasionally and masturbate,” Pitnick said. “From an evolutionary standpoint, sperm is still aging if you don’t use them. Masturbating is another way of just shedding.”

Shedding older sperm is something humans have adapted to do, since fresh, quality sperm is best for reproduction, Pitnick said.

Bimek is looking for males willing to try out his device, and it just might be worthwhile, especially for males that wouldn’t want to use a condom.

“In general, it’s a clever idea,” Pitnick said. “There’s no problem as long as you investigate potential downsides.”

While I do support all forms of contraception, I suggest waiting this one out a little bit. If you’re sexually active, you don’t have to be on the birth control pill or use turn-off valves, but at least always use a condom. By all means, have sex, but practice safe sex.

Isabella Ong is a sophomore television, radio and film major. Her column appears weekly in Pulp. She can be reached at iong01@syr.edu.

Published on February 10, 2016 at 8:41 pm