The Male "Pill"
While I was on Twitter I noticed a lot of buzz going on around a new birth control pill being developed for men. According to the article "Birth control pill for men could be available soon, says WHO", testing for a male hormonal birth control pill is very much underway.
Although not expected to hit markets until 2012 or 2013, the pill is expected to "reduce sperm count up to 100 percent" and have little to no side effects. What does the pill do? It's goal is to "completely suppress the hormones that stimulate the production of sperm in the testicles." The pill's effects however, are completely reversible, with sperm production back to normal usually within 2 to 4 months (it also usually takes around 2 to 4 months for the sperm to initially disappear). The only known side effect is testicle shrinkage - due to the fact the pill has made them stop working.
This idea of a "male pill" intrigued me and definitely got me thinking. It seems like a great thing - preventing unwanted pregnancies, improving contraception....but what effect would it have on sexually transmitted disease? Would the new pill affect the use of condoms among males? Would the male mindset change to "I can't get her pregnant, so who needs a condom"? Or, what about women - would they feel more comfortable not using a condom, thinking they are protected? I've heard several males talk about hating to use condoms because it doesn't feel "as good", but only do it so they don't "knock the girl up". So with a new male birth control pill, would the use of condoms - for actual protection against STD's - go out the window?
What do you think? Do you think the pill would have an effect on condom usage? If you are a guy, would you take it? How about women, do you think your partner would take it?
Although not expected to hit markets until 2012 or 2013, the pill is expected to "reduce sperm count up to 100 percent" and have little to no side effects. What does the pill do? It's goal is to "completely suppress the hormones that stimulate the production of sperm in the testicles." The pill's effects however, are completely reversible, with sperm production back to normal usually within 2 to 4 months (it also usually takes around 2 to 4 months for the sperm to initially disappear). The only known side effect is testicle shrinkage - due to the fact the pill has made them stop working.
This idea of a "male pill" intrigued me and definitely got me thinking. It seems like a great thing - preventing unwanted pregnancies, improving contraception....but what effect would it have on sexually transmitted disease? Would the new pill affect the use of condoms among males? Would the male mindset change to "I can't get her pregnant, so who needs a condom"? Or, what about women - would they feel more comfortable not using a condom, thinking they are protected? I've heard several males talk about hating to use condoms because it doesn't feel "as good", but only do it so they don't "knock the girl up". So with a new male birth control pill, would the use of condoms - for actual protection against STD's - go out the window?
What do you think? Do you think the pill would have an effect on condom usage? If you are a guy, would you take it? How about women, do you think your partner would take it?
Comment
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Comment by John on June 26, 2009 at 2:02pm -
This is a very interesting topic indeed. It would be great if more men took matters into their own hands instead of leaving it up to women to use the pill. However, I know lots of girls who use the pill for other reasons other than to prevent getting pregnant, such as clearing up their skin or making their breasts bigger.
If the only side effect for men is testicle shrinkage, then I don't see a lot of them taking it. I think the majority of men would rather use a condom when they have sex than take a pill everyday that makes their testicles smaller. Many men are very self conscious about their genitalia, for our society stresses that size really DOES matter. If the pill made men's penises bigger than I'm sure more would be open to taking it. If the pill makes their testicles smaller, than that would hypothetically make them less of a man. I think men would really find that aspect of the drug unappealing and perhaps even not worth taking.
I know there are a lot of men who don't like using condoms, but I really think it would be the lesser of two evils when given the opportunity to take a pill everyday with that given side effect. Using a condom may be unappealing, but I think testicle shrinkage is even moreso.
The pill for men would be a substitute for condom use, which I think should never be encouraged. Like you said, there are too many STIs out there that the pill would not protect against. People should never be discouraged from using a condom for that reason alone.
It sounds like a good idea on the surface, and it's a good option to have out in the market for men, however I really don't think it will catch on. It's kind of like the female condom. They are out there on the market but practically no one uses them. Is that because a lot of sexually active women are on 'the pill'? I'm not sure, and I can't speak for women--but those who I've talked to just find it unappealing and more of a male practice. Condom use has been a male responsibility and birth control has become a women's responsibility because they are the easiest ways to prevent pregnancy for both genders.
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Comment by amanda on June 26, 2009 at 12:23pm -
Lisa, this is a really fascinating topic. Finally men might be able to take control of 'birth control' in a more direct way.
On a personal note, I discussed the idea of male birth control pills with a male friend last year sometime and he said - he would 100% be willing to take it. That's how important birth control and pregnancy-prevention are to him. However, he is also one of the most responsible and health-conscious people I know. (Also adamantly against reproducing until at least 9 years down the road.) But - while I do think that some men would be interested - I'm not sure they would consider it important enough to be diligent about taking it daily.
The thing about women taking the pill is that it changes our whole bodies in a way. We are very conscious of the benefits and costs. While using the pill for pregnancy prevention, more women can remind themselves to be very strict because the consequence of pregnancy, breakthrough bleeding, or messing with her hormones is a high cost.
Men wouldn't have the same incentives. I'm not sure men could ever think about pregnancy the same way as women - biologically at least. (I know some men are very very conscious of it and care a lot). But physically, men will never have the risk of becoming pregnant - so I'm not sure they are willing to go to semi-extreme measures (or at least what they might consider to be extreme - less spermies)?
And your point about men using the pill and then opting out of STI prevention - is a great one. I think you're absolutely right. I think members of both gender still put pregnancy-prevention over STI-prevention. And it's hard enough to get people to be tested or to always wear condoms. This would probably make that even less likely.
I see both sides. Because I think it would take the burden off of some women whose bodies don't react well to being on the pill and also up the success rate of both pills - if both partners are on them. I think now is a great time for men to be involved in sexual health. It's necessary. And many men are. But not nearly enough as there should be. And there's always been something slightly sexist, to me, about how women are often forced to bear the burden of contraception in a way to protect themselves from such a huge thing as pregnancy (and HPV and UTIs and other painful STIs that men don't contract). I suppose it's the way we are built. Our reproduction cycle is so complex because we are the ones that can bear children. Each egg is produced very carefully by our bodies and made very selective of sperm. While men can produce sperm like there's no tomorrow and have thousands to spare. It's the way we were made. And it really fascinates me. Time investment according to sexual organs and biology has often dictated our social structures as well. (I won't go off into the tangent I'm SO being pulled towards though! Haha <3 this topic.)
Anyway thanks for bringing this up! I'm curious to see what other people think and to see where this research and testing will lead! :)
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