Body Blog: Male Birth Control?

October 10, 2011 12:00 pm     Posted in Body, Health, Sex  Garnet Henderson g+ page


By Garnet Henderson

Male and female condoms. Birth control pills, shots, patches and rings. As a smart, independent college woman, you’re no doubt familiar with the range of contraceptive options. But soon, a new one may be added to the list – male hormonal birth control.

Over the last several years, hints at the possibility of a reversible form of male birth control have popped up here and there. But new research is providing evidence that a safe, effective form of hormonal birth control for guys is well within reach. And the idea has already built up strong support. This month, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will hold a conference to discuss the recent advances in male birth control research.

There are several potential forms of birth control for men, all of which are being thoroughly researched. One method is very similar to existing female birth control pills. It uses the hormones testosterone and progestin to send signals to the body to stop producing sperm. However, there are still issues with side effects for this method in some men. One side effect may surprise you – drinking alcohol when taking these drugs makes patients sick. So, maybe this one isn’t quite ready for college.

Another method involves injecting a gel to inactive sperm into the scrotum. The third method uses an ultrasound to briefly heat the testes, which stops sperm production for months. And, similar to hormone pills, another method involves a hormone implant.

All of these methods have been shown to be reversible, unlike existing procedures such as the vasectomy. More extensive research will be needed to make sure that these forms of birth control really are safe and reliable. But scientists are optimistic – some estimate that a male birth control daily pill could be on the market within 5 to 7 years, and implants may be available even sooner.

This is great news for ladies who may have problems with hormonal birth control. It could also be nice for couples who prefer to avoid condoms for whatever reason – although, as always, no form of hormonal birth control can protect against STDs. So don’t pitch your condom stash just yet!

What do you think? Would you want your boyfriend/friend with benefits/random hookup to try male birth control? And do you think guys will even go for this in the first place? Let us know what you think!

21 Comments on "Body Blog: Male Birth Control?"

  1. Tatiana says:
    Mon, 10th Oct 20112:49 pm 

    I think male birth control sounds like an awesome idea! Although the one where they heat the testes sounds a wee-bit scary…

  2. Sarcastic says:
    Mon, 10th Oct 20113:06 pm 

    Because everyone know girls are always responsible and girls never are!

  3. mmb says:
    Mon, 10th Oct 20113:34 pm 

    I think it's not that one gender is more or less responsible than another, but there is the lack of motivation Let's face it, it isn't him who's going to get pregnant when he misses his pill…

  4. Jessica Zaleski - University of Florida says:
    Mon, 10th Oct 20113:44 pm 

    I don't really mind being responsible for birth control in my relationship. With the nuvaring, I never have to remember to do anything except take it out after 3 weeks.

  5. Melissa says:
    Mon, 10th Oct 201110:16 pm 

    I think I'd keep taking my own birth control. I know a lot of guys whose hearts are in the right place but who would probably write off missing one pill as not a big deal when he was about to get down. Not that girls are inherently more trust-worthy, but like mmb said, the threat of possible pregnancy makes us(or me at least, a little more cautious).

  6. A guy says:
    Mon, 10th Oct 201110:32 pm 

    If you don't trust the guy, you shouldn't be sleeping with him.

  7. g m says:
    Tue, 11th Oct 20111:49 am 

    I think both female and male birth control should be used–that way, the probability of a pregnancy would decrease by half. Ultimately, it would benefit both parties in the relationship

  8. Neo says:
    Tue, 11th Oct 20114:36 am 

    just use condoms, all problems solved

  9. Liz says:
    Tue, 11th Oct 20119:32 am 

    Exactly! That's why I wouldn't trust him unless we were in a really serious relationship.

  10. Greta says:
    Tue, 11th Oct 20119:34 am 

    Except not really. Condoms don't always work.

  11. Nerdy swag says:
    Tue, 11th Oct 201111:18 am 

    5 to 7!!! damn us college guys need that now!

  12. IndianaJonny says:
    Tue, 11th Oct 20116:15 pm 

    It's interesting that it's being fronted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as they tend to deal with medical research that isn't seen as financially profitable by mainstream pharmaceutical companies. If there's apparently no 'market' for such male contraception perhaps the bigger question here is to ask why not?

  13. Harry says:
    Mon, 12th Dec 201110:38 am 

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