Adrian Gallo’s interest in better birth control methods for men began about 10 years ago, when he was an undergraduate student with a female roommate.

“She told me about the many trials and tribulations of being a woman,” including taking birth control pills, Gallo recalled. “I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God, hormonal pills sound awful, like, truly awful,’ ” which made him wonder why contraceptive responsibilities weren’t distributed more equitably and why there weren’t broader choices for men other than condoms or vasectomies.

Fast-forward to 2022. Much has changed in Gallo’s life; he’s 32 and a PhD candidate in soil science at Oregon State University. His options for contraception, however, remain the same.