Game-changing contraceptives for men could be on pharmacy shelves as soon as 2029, according to the World Health Organization.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Dr James Kiarie, head of the UN agency’s contraception and fertility care unit, said he expects male birth control to be available in just a few years, in a major expansion of contraceptive options for men.

“In three to five years, we will actually have a method available, [so] men can be more than supporters of their female partners in using contraception – men can actually be users,” he said.

On Tuesday, the WHO released its first Target Product Profiles (TPPs) for these products, setting out guidelines for the desired and minimum standards any male contraceptive product must meet.

“[The TPPs] signals that this is a priority issue for the WHO,” said Dr Kiarie.

“Currently men do not have much option in terms of their contraceptive methods.…