The "male pill" is on its way – and it's taking the form of a gel contraceptive. Scientists have developed Vasalgel, a long-acting and non-hormonal form of male birth control that works in the same way as a vasectomy (except this process is actually reversible).

Basically, it works by blocking the vas deferens in the penis, which sperm swim through on their way out of the testicles. Vasalgel is injected into this vas deferens, blocking sperms' exit in the same way as a vasectomy. If the man decides he wants to reverse the procedure, the gel can be flushed out with another simple injection. Minus the injection part, this sounds pretty appealing, right? 

WIRED reports Vasalgel was first created by an Indian scientist named Sujoy Guha, who spent over 30 years working on the idea. The Parsemus Foundation, a not-for profit organization that researches low-cost medical approaches, has successfully tested the gel on rats and rabbits, and plans to start human trials in the next year. 

The drug is now in preclinical primate trials and is being tested on baboons, which have a similar physiology to human beings. Three baboon test subjects have been administered Vasalgel and moved into conditions conducive to reproduction (read: an enclosure with lots of females). After six months of sexual activity, none of the females have fallen pregnant. In October, the researchers will flush out the Vasalgel and confirm that the baboons' sperm will flow naturally again.

The Parsemus Foundation is confident that they can get the product to people pretty soon, saying in a statement: "If everything goes well and with enough public support, we hope to get Vasalgel on the market in 2016 – 2017."

Scientists have been searching for a male equivalent to the contraceptive pill since it changed women's lives forever in the early 60s. If Vasalgel does actually work, it'll probably come as a relief to women who'd like some support when it comes to contraception. Remembering to take a pill every day is hard work and can come with side effects including weight gain, nausea and sore breasts.

Plus, with some scientists despairing that the world is staring an overpopulation crisis straight in the face, revolutionary birth control might help us extend our stay on this planet.