Why Should Men Consider Contraceptives ?
When thinking about birth control, you might first consider the pill for women. However, researchers are also working on a contraceptive for men, though it is not yet available. Men currently have several options to prevent unintended pregnancies.
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Why Consider Male Contraceptives?
The pill for women is not always effective, and some women may not be able to take it due to side effects or choose not to use any birth control at all. Additionally, women often carry the majority of the responsibility and cost of contraception. Female methods are generally more expensive than male methods. If you want to share this responsibility, discuss with your partner the best way to do so.
Condoms
Condoms can be up to 98% effective in preventing pregnancy and also protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like herpes and chlamydia, which other methods do not. However, if condoms are not used correctly every time, the risk of accidental pregnancy increases significantly, with some estimates suggesting nearly a 1 in 5 chance.
To ensure condoms are effective, you should:
- Use only latex or polyurethane condoms stored in a cool, dry place. Condoms made from lambskin or other materials may not protect against HIV and other viruses.
- Avoid carrying condoms in your wallet where heat and friction could damage them.
- Check the expiration date before use.
- Use water- or silicone-based lubricants to prevent the condom from breaking.
When using a condom:
- Place the condom on the tip of an erect penis, pinching out any air in the tip and leaving space for semen.
- Unroll the condom to the base of the penis.
- If uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin before applying the condom.
- After intercourse, hold the base of the condom while withdrawing.
- Dispose of the condom properly.
Spermicide
Spermicide is a chemical that kills sperm to prevent pregnancy. The most common spermicide in the U.S. is nonoxynol-9 (N-9). It is available in various forms, such as foam, jelly, tablet, cream, suppository, or dissolvable film. Spermicide can be used alone or with other birth control methods, like condoms or cervical caps.
Spermicide does not protect against STDs.
Spermicide Condoms
These are regular condoms coated with N-9, which also acts as a lubricant. While effective, they do not offer any significant advantage over regular condoms. However, spermicide condoms may cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) in some women and have an unpleasant taste during oral sex. They also tend to be more expensive, expire quicker, and may cause irritation, making silicone-lubricated condoms a better choice for some people.
How to Use Spermicide
Different types of spermicide require different usage instructions, so it is important to follow the directions on the package. Generally, you should:
- Insert the spermicide deep into the vagina.
- Wait 10-15 minutes before having sex.
- Do not wait more than 30-60 minutes to have sex.
- Leave the spermicide in place for at least 6 hours after sex.
Effectiveness
Spermicide is about 70% to 80% effective when used alone. Spermicide condoms are about 87% effective with typical use and 98% effective when used perfectly.
Vasectomy
A vasectomy, also known as male sterilization, is a surgical procedure where a surgeon cuts and seals the tubes (vas deferens) that carry sperm to the testicles. This is the most effective form of male birth control, with only about 15 out of 10,000 couples experiencing pregnancy within a year after the procedure.
Benefits
Simpler, cheaper, and more effective than female sterilization.
No impact on sexual function or sensation.
Quick recovery, usually within a week.
Drawbacks
Vasectomy is usually permanent. Although reversal is possible, it is not always successful.
It does not protect against STDs, so condoms may still be necessary.
As with any surgery, there is a small risk of complications, such as swelling, bleeding, or infection.
Outercourse
Outercourse involves sexual activities that do not involve penetration of the penis into the vagina, such as kissing, fondling, masturbation, dry humping, oral sex, or anal sex. As long as the penis and semen are kept away from the partner’s vaginal area, pregnancy cannot occur. However, vaginal sex is not possible, and STDs can still be transmitted through oral or anal sex.
Withdrawal (Pulling Out)
Withdrawal, also known as coitus interruptus, is one of the oldest forms of birth control. It involves pulling the penis out of the vagina before ejaculation. While it has no side effects and costs nothing, it is one of the least effective methods, working only 78% of the time. This means that 22 out of 100 couples who rely on this method will experience an unintended pregnancy within a year.
11-Beta-MNTDC (Male Birth Control Pill)
11-beta-MNTDC is an experimental male birth control pill that, if proven effective, would be taken daily to reduce sperm count to levels that prevent pregnancy. The pill works by blocking the body’s production of testosterone and progesterone, hormones necessary for sperm production.
Side Effects
Early studies have shown some side effects, such as changes in cholesterol levels, but no serious issues have been reported.
Availability
The pill is still in the early stages of testing and will require more research before it becomes available.
Development of Male Birth Control Options
Currently, there are no hormonal birth control methods available for men, and it is uncertain when or if they will become available. However, there is considerable public interest in male hormonal birth control, and research is ongoing in this area.
Studies indicate a strong demand for hormonal birth control methods for men. For instance, a survey conducted by the Male Contraceptive Initiative found that 50% of American men aged 18 to 49 expressed high interest in such options. Similar interest has been observed among both men and women in other surveys.
Male hormonal birth control would function similarly to female hormonal birth control, using synthetic hormones to alter the reproductive system and prevent pregnancy. Most current methods use testosterone in the form of injections, implants, or gels, sometimes combined with progestin to improve effectiveness. Surveys suggest that many men prefer a pill over injections or implants, though few male birth control pills are available.
As of 2022, eight studies have investigated hormonal birth control for men. Five of these studies focused solely on testosterone, while three included both testosterone and progestin. Overall, these studies indicate that hormonal birth control for men is highly effective, though it comes with side effects similar to those experienced with female hormonal birth control, such as acne, weight gain, mood swings, and changes in libido.
Several factors contribute to the absence of available hormonal birth control methods for men. Some men may find potential side effects unacceptable, and there have been obstacles in securing pharmaceutical company support for the development and testing of these products. Additionally, clear guidelines for prescribing these medications and determining health insurance coverage need to be established.
One major challenge in developing male hormonal contraceptives is the high rate of sperm production in men—approximately 1,000 sperm per second. Completely stopping this production is difficult. Furthermore, when a male begins using a birth control pill or injection, it takes about two months to reduce sperm production effectively. Testing is required to confirm that sperm levels are low enough to prevent pregnancy, making these methods less immediately effective and necessitating follow-up medical appointments for optimal results.
In conclusion, while male contraceptive options are currently limited, men have several methods to prevent unintended pregnancies. It is important to discuss these options with your partner and choose the method that works best for both of you.
Shared Contraceptive Responsibility
The advancements in contraception over the past 60 years have significantly improved the options available to women in the U.S. However, the current system remains inequitable. Women continue to shoulder the majority of contraceptive responsibilities and associated burdens, while men have limited involvement in reproductive decisions. This situation may be more problematic than in the past, as its injustices are often obscured by the prevailing discourse of women’s empowerment and equality. This rhetoric may inadvertently suggest that women should be satisfied with the status quo, marginalizing or suppressing calls for further improvements.
To address this issue of social justice, there must be a shift towards shared responsibility for contraception. This requires not only the development of male long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) but also a transformation in societal norms regarding contraceptive responsibility. Merely introducing new technologies will not be sufficient if gender norms remain unchanged. The example of sterilization illustrates this: despite the availability of both tubal ligation and vasectomy, tubal ligation is nearly three times more common in the U.S. and globally. This discrepancy is not due to the procedures themselves—vasectomies are generally quicker, safer, and less expensive than tubal ligations—but rather to entrenched gender norms that associate contraception and reproduction primarily with women.
In conclusion, achieving a more equitable contraceptive arrangement necessitates both technological innovation—through the development of male LARCs—and a cultural shift towards shared contraceptive responsibility between men and women.
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