For decades, contraception has largely been deemed solely the responsibility of women, but this is changing.

Men’s contraceptive solutions are now available, offering another alternative and expanding the options for men to take control of their reproductive health.

What is Men’s Contraception?

Men’s contraception, also known as male contraception, is a method used to prevent pregnancy by targeting male fertility.

Unlike female contraception, which primarily stops the release of an egg or disrupts fertilization, male contraception focuses on stopping or reducing the number of sperm that can fertilize an egg.

Types of Men’s Contraception

1. Condoms

A male contraceptive that most people are familiar with is the condom. Condoms are barrier methods of contraception that prevent the sperm from entering the vagina. They are easy to obtain and can be locally purchased in pharmacies or grocery stores.

When used correctly, they are incredibly effective at preventing pregnancy and protecting against sexually transmitted diseases.

2. Vasectomy

Vasectomy is another male contraceptive method that is surgical. In this procedure, the vas deferens, the tubes that carry the sperm from the testes, are cut, thereby stopping the release of sperm.

Vasectomy is considered permanent, but it can still be reversed through another surgical procedure.

3. Male Birth Control Pill

The development of male birth control pills is another alternative. These pills can inhibit sperm production and essentially act as a hormonal contraceptive for men. So far, these pills have not been approved for use, but research is ongoing.

4. Hormone Injections

Male contraceptive injections are currently undergoing clinical trials. These injections work through the synthetic hormones injected into the bloodstream that suppress the production of sperm within testicles.

These injections can last for up to 13 weeks and are potentially reversible when discontinued.

5. Contraceptive Gels or Creams

Roaldm, a British research group, is currently developing contraceptive gels and creams as an alternative male contraceptive.

The gel or cream is applied daily to the chest and shoulders, where the synthetic hormones get absorbed through the skin and suppress the sperm production over time. The research is still ongoing, and more studies are yet to determine its effectiveness.

Related Article The Arrival of Male Birth Control

The Benefits of Men’s Contraception

Men’s contraception presents a series of significant benefits for both men and women. Here are a few key benefits:.

1. Greater Equality in Family Planning

Mens contraception promotes a balance of responsibility in family planning. Men can share and take responsibility for preventing pregnancy and not put all the pressure on their partners.

2. Differentiated Choice

Currently, women largely control contraception, and their choices are primarily associated with hormonal contraceptives or devices that can be invasive to use.

With the availability of male contraception options, couples’ contraceptive choices widen, and men can find options that are more comfortable for them.

3. Better Control of Reproductive Health

With the availability of male contraception, men can take more control of their reproductive health, which has been beneficial for both men and women. Men can get more involved in family planning and improve their chances of safer and healthy sex.

The Drawbacks of Men’s Contraception

As with any medical intervention, there are potential drawbacks to Men’s contraception. Here are a few:.

1. Irreversibility

While most male contraceptives are reversible, there are irreversible options like the vasectomy. Men must consider their long-term needs and have good counseling before undertaking any permanent contraception.

2. Safety Concerns

Like all medical interventions, there are safety concerns surrounding the use of certain contraceptive methods. For example, some forms of contraception like injections can cause temporary or permanent infertility or hormonal imbalances in men.

3. Limited Availability

Not all male contraception options are currently available. Some are still undergoing clinical trials, and others remain in the developmental stage, limiting their availability.

This limited access may account for why more men haven’t sought out these methods.

Conclusion

Men’s contraception presents another contraceptive option for both men and women. It is a welcome change that brings greater equality in family planning and ensures that both partners are sharing responsibility.

Men’s contraceptives provide fresh options and methods for couples to find comfort while having safer and healthier sex.