Birth Control... for men!

[Rachel]

Male birth control pill soon a reality - Men's Sexual Health Guide - MSNBC.com


Male birth control pill soon a reality
Implants, patches and creams also on the way
By John Schieszer
MSNBC contributor
SEATTLE, Oct. 1 — - Forty-year-old Scott Hardin says he’s glad that men may soon have a new choice when it comes to birth control. But, he adds, he would not even consider taking a male hormonal contraceptive. Hardin is like many men who are pleased to hear they may have a new option but are wary of taking any type of hormones.

“I would rather rely on a solution that doesn’t involving medicating myself and the problems women have had with hormone therapy doesn’t make me anxious to want to sign on to taking a hormone-type therapy,” says Hardin, who is single and a college administrator.

For the first time, a safe, effective and reversible hormonal male contraceptive appears to be within reach. Several formulations are expected to become commercially available within the near future. Men may soon have the options of a daily pill to be taken orally, a patch or gel to be applied to the skin, an injection given every three months or an implant placed under the skin every 12 months, according to Seattle researchers.

“It largely depends on how funding continues. The technology is there. We know how it would work,” says Dr. Andrea Coviello, who is helping to test several male contraceptives at the Population Center for Research in Reproduction at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Coviello and her colleagues have found that a male contraceptive that releases testosterone over three months is potentially a safe and practical method of contraception. The Seattle researchers have been testing a sustained-released, testosterone micro-capsule, which consists of a thick liquid administered by injection under the skin.

“I never had any real noticeable side effects. I didn’t notice any mood changes. I may have put on a little weight,” says Larry Setlow, a 39-year-old computer programmer with a small software company in Seattle. He has taken part in three male hormonal contraceptive clinical trials at the University of Washington and has received both pills and injections.

“They all worked really well and I was able to look at my lab results and see my sperm count drop to zero,” says Setlow.

~~~~~~~

interesting... very interesting.

[Ashley]

[Rachel]

I like that it's an alternative to surgery.
I do see how there could and will likely be issues with this though. Think about how there are guys out there that wonder if the girl they're sleeping with (whether casually or in a relationship) is on birth control or if she is taking it right... now girls will be wondering the same thing. Birth control is the responsibility of both parties, like how it's not just the guys responsibility to put on a condom... the girl should also make sure he does. But what if the guy screws up and they're in a situation where the girl for whatever reason isn't on birth control and they're also not using condoms because he's on birth control.

anyway... I know it's a bunch of jumbled thoughts sort of, but you get the idea right? I think it could be a great alternative for serious relationships but for guys in general I don't think it's a great idea especially if it has no other benefits but to prevent lil spermies from making their way out. With women, at least birth control in most cases has other benefits besides preventing pregnancies (though plenty of side effects as well).

Okay I'm done

[Ashley]

i just dont see a man wanting to take birth control, let me ask jesse if he will and get back to you

[Ashley]

Josh chime in- would you take it?

[Josh]

Originally Posted by Ashley

Josh chime in- would you take it?

Yep.

[Rachel]

Originally Posted by Josh

Yep.

is it cuz you're scared of the alternative?

[Josh]

Originally Posted by Rachel

is it cuz you're scared of the alternative?

Two different scenarios really. If I want it to be permanent, I'll go with the permanent option. If I just don't want to get anybody pregnant for a while, I'd go with the non-permanent option.

[Rachel]

Originally Posted by Josh

Two different scenarios really. If I want it to be permanent, I'll go with the permanent option. If I just don't want to get anybody pregnant for a while, I'd go with the non-permanent option.

interesting.

[Ashley]

ok well Jesse laughed- and didnt believe me, and then said nope he wont take it

[Rachel]

I think it will be hard to convince guys in their 20's to take it, but future generations possibly

[Ashley]

i think its more of an ego thing, im not sure. Jesse is closer to 30 than 20

[Rachel]

Originally Posted by Ashley

i think its more of an ego thing, im not sure. Jesse is closer to 30 than 20

That's why I think it will take some time before people really take to the idea.

[Jene]

I've been hoping this would come out for a long time because I'd rather my son go on the pill than get a girl pregnant while being young and dumb. We can always hope our kids will do the right thing, wait until 30 before having sex, blah blah blah.

I will make my husband have the sex talk with him and depending on where the birth control is for men 10, 15 years from now, I would want my son to be smart enough to get on the pill if he's going to be a horny teenager.

[Pete]

I'd do it in a heartbeat. It kills me that I have no option and Pam needs to be the one polluting herself with chemicals or devices. In our case if I did take it it wouldn;t be for long since at 3 munchkins we are pretty close to calling it a day on the whole breeding thing.

Snippety snip will come soon enough.

[Rachel]

The polluting factor is why I didn't go back on birth control after having Sienna. I'm sick of putting all of those crazy and uncessary hormones into my body. It's too bad there isn't a temporary not hormonal method for men yet... I'm sure it's only a matter of time though.

[Kasie]

I don't think Zeke would take it. Not that he is out of date but more like he doesn't like taking pills.

I think the teen male not wanting to get a girl pregnant scenario is the most believable.