If a man took Mifepristone (RU 486) what would happen to him? Would it have no effect? Would it kill him?
Mifepristone is a progesterone-blocker, and since the only resources I can find for that hormone talk of its effects in females I don’t think a progesterone-blocker would have a huge effect in males.
I am not a doctor, of course, so you should ask one if you’re really curious.
This site suggests blocking progesterone receptors in male mice made them more paternal and less likely to attack newborns. If a human equivalent exists (and it’s a big if), it might suggest that a man taking mifepristone might be more likely to change diapers and less likely to slap the kids around. It might be an interesting experiment to dose men who are convicted of child abuse.
I agree. Probably not a helluva lot would happen.
Still, in addition to its anti-progesterone effect, RU-486 also opposes the action of cortisol to some extent. So, theoretically, it could interfere with the body’s response to cortisol. To my knowledge, though, this has not been documented (people on RU 486 increase their levels of cortisol in order to overcome this inhibition).
RU-486 was once proposed as a male contraceptive since it may alter the viability of sperm. It also has been tested as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder. I believe the latter usage was in both men and women.
:smack: I neglected to mention that there’s also some evidence that RU-486 may be of use in the treament or prevention of prostate cancer. So, if our hypothetical man took it long enough, his risk of prostate cancer might be lowered.
Of course, he would never carry a pregnancy to term.
RU 486 is also one of the five chemicals that are currently known to be useful in the treatment of female pattern baldness. It may have a similar effect in men, but I’m not aware of any study that has ever tested this.