Despite advancements in science, birth control choices for men remain limited to condoms or vasectomy. There are also less reliable options such as withdrawal (pulling out) and outercourse.
Considering that many of the pregnancies are unintended, there’s a clear need for additional family planning methods that do not place the sole responsibility on women. Many men express a desire to share this responsibility equally with their female partners. However, the gap in available options is substantial.
Efforts have been made in the realm of science to address this issue, but multiple research studies have been initiated and halted over many years. Some potential male birth control methods are in development, but their arrival on the market remains uncertain.
For now, men will have to rely on the birth control methods they have used for decades. In this article, we will explore the birth control options currently available to men to prevent unintended pregnancies, as well as discuss potential developments for the future.
What Options are Currently Available for Male Birth Control?
Condoms
Condoms serve as a form of barrier birth control. They are placed over an erect penis before engaging in vaginal intercourse to prevent pregnancy. Condoms function by creating a barrier that prevents semen from entering the vaginal canal, thereby preventing fertilization of an egg.
Typically, condoms are crafted from materials like latex or polyurethane, although some are made from a lamb membrane known as lambskin. They are available in various sizes and may feature different textures. Some condoms are lubricated to ease penetration and reduce the risk of tearing, while others are coated with spermicide for added pregnancy protection.
Advantages
- When used correctly, condoms are highly effective at preventing pregnancy.
- They offer protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
- Condoms are easily accessible, affordable, and do not necessitate a prescription.
Risks
Condoms may tear or slip off if they do not fit properly or are not applied correctly. Condoms can deteriorate due to expiration or exposure to light and heat, increasing the likelihood of tearing during use. Individuals with a latex allergy may experience allergic reactions to latex condoms, often marked by itching and swelling after intercourse. Condoms lubricated with spermicide may heighten the risk of urinary tract infections in individuals with vaginas.
Conventional vasectomy
Vasectomy, also referred to as male sterilization, is a surgical procedure intended to provide permanent contraception.
In a vasectomy, a surgeon performs the following steps to ensure the tubes responsible for transporting sperm (vas deferens) are divided and sealed off. This prevents sperm from mixing with seminal fluid, rendering it incapable of fertilizing an egg.
- Local Anesthetic: Your surgeon will administer a local anesthetic to numb the scrotum.
- Incisions: Two small incisions will be made on each side of the scrotum, granting access to the sperm-carrying tubes connected to each testicle (vas deferens).
- Tube Removal: A small portion of each tube will be surgically cut and removed.
- Sealing: The surgeon will seal the ends of these tubes, either through the application of heat or by tying them.
Vasectomy is typically an outpatient procedure, and general anesthesia is not used. You will be awake during the surgery.
Recovery from a vasectomy typically spans around a week. During this time, it is advisable to refrain from sexual activity and strenuous physical activities, such as heavy lifting.
Benefits
- Conventional vasectomy is highly effective, with a success rate of over 99%, in preventing pregnancy.
- It eliminates the need for other forms of birth control, whether male or female.
- Vasectomy does not impact testosterone production, sex drive, or the ability to achieve and enjoy erections and orgasms.
Risks
- It typically takes 8 to 12 weeks for a vasectomy to provide contraceptive protection.
- Vasectomy is designed to be a permanent procedure, although it can sometimes be reversed. It is not advisable if you anticipate wanting children in the future.
- Post-surgery, you may experience bruising, swelling, and discomfort.
- In certain instances, ongoing testicle pain may occur.
- As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection.
- A small, firm lump known as a sperm granuloma may develop due to sperm leakage. While it can be painful, these lumps usually resolve on their own.
- Accumulation of sperm in the testes may cause a sensation of pressure lasting for weeks to months.
- If you are concerned about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), you will need to use condoms during sexual activity following a vasectomy.
No-scalpel vasectomy
No-scalpel vasectomy, like its conventional counterpart, provides a permanent method of male birth control and offers the same success rate in preventing pregnancy. This procedure is also performed on an outpatient basis and does not require general anesthesia.
During a no-scalpel vasectomy:
- Local Anesthesia: Your surgeon will administer a local anesthetic to numb the scrotum.
- Incision Alternative: Instead of making incisions with a scalpel, the surgeon will utilize sharp-pointed forceps to create small openings on each side of the scrotum.
- Vas Deferens Handling: The surgeon will employ the forceps to gently pull out the vas deferens through each opening and then cut it.
- Sealing Process: The ends of the vas deferens will be sealed, either by tying or using heat.
Benefits
- No-scalpel vasectomy offers the same advantages as conventional vasectomy, allowing you to discontinue other birth control methods without pregnancy concerns.
- This procedure does not impact testosterone production, nor does it influence your sex drive, ability to achieve an erection, or ability to orgasm.
- It boasts a success rate of over 99% in achieving sterility.
- No-scalpel vasectomy is less time-consuming and carries fewer side effects, such as infection and blood clots, compared to conventional vasectomy.
- Post-procedure discomfort is typically minimal.
- Some studies suggest that the recovery period for a no-scalpel vasectomy may be shorter than for a conventional vasectomy, allowing for a potentially earlier return to sexual activity, although your doctor may recommend waiting at least a week.
Risks
- It takes between 8 and 12 weeks for a no-scalpel vasectomy to provide contraceptive protection. During this period, it is essential to use a condom or another form of birth control to prevent pregnancy.
- While no-scalpel vasectomies can sometimes be reversed, it’s important to consider this procedure only if you are certain about not wanting children.
- Bruising, swelling, and minor bleeding or oozing may occur after the procedure.
- Sperm granulomas may form and cause discomfort, but they typically resolve on their own.
- Some individuals may experience a sensation of pressure in the scrotum, which can persist for several weeks.
- No-scalpel vasectomy does not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
What About a Male Birth Control Pill?
Research on hormonal forms of male birth control, including a daily pill, has been conducted; however, as of now, there is no available male birth control pill. Several factors contribute to this absence.
“Studies on a male pill began many years ago but faced numerous challenges,” explains Ph.D., research director for the Male Contraceptive Initiative. Researchers grappled with questions like how to create long-lasting delivery methods and determine the sperm production level that qualifies as sterility, even if it doesn’t reach zero.
In addition to scientific challenges, practical obstacles hindered progress and production.
The researcher elaborates, “The early studies often stalled due to difficulties in securing pharmaceutical partners for research financing. Many pharmaceutical companies in the early 2000s were hesitant to invest in new birth control methods due to concerns about potential legal issues. Large pharmaceutical companies shifted to a business model where smaller startups handle the initial risky research, with financing provided later. The field of male contraception has not reached that stage yet, lacking the necessary financial support. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic that a male birth control pill will be developed within the next decade.”
What’s The Outlook for Male Birth Control Options in the Future?
Once a variety of birth control options become available for men, they will, like women, choose the methods that suit them best.
The researcher remarks, “Many men express a preference for a daily pill, possibly because it aligns with the familiarity of the current birth control used by many women.”
Ongoing research is exploring other male birth control options, including:
- Vas-occlusive injected gel: ADAM is a nonhormonal gel injected into the vas deferens, preventing sperm from entering seminal fluid. Similar to an IUD, ADAM offers long-lasting contraceptive protection, typically for a year or more. Clinical trials are currently underway for recruitment.
- Topical gel: Researchers are conducting clinical trials on a hormonal gel applied to the shoulders. This gel contains synthetic progestin, which inhibits natural testosterone production in the testes. It also includes replacement testosterone to mitigate side effects like decreased libido.
Conclusion
At present, the exclusive birth control choices for men encompass condoms and vasectomy. Additionally, men can adopt behaviors such as outercourse to lower the likelihood of pregnancy.
It’s important to note that a male birth control pill is not yet accessible. However, ongoing research is exploring various male birth control alternatives, including a daily pill, an injected nonhormonal gel, and a topical hormonal gel.