Male vs Female Birth Control.

[Danustouch]

Should Medicine be spending as much time in developing forms of Male Birth Control as they are in finding alternative methods of FEMALE birth Control?
*******************************************

Sexual Politics and Sperm Inhibition:
The Male Birth Control Pill

Elizabeth Paluska
Birth control is not just a biological issue; it is highly economic and reflects the overall climate of sexual politics in the United States. The initial subject of this paper was not the male birth control pill. Since the female birth control pill has recently turned 40, I intended to critically research the pill's history and the negative and potential long-term risks. However, my research led me to realize that the majority of scientists, doctors and media sing nothing but the praises of the birth control pill. Very little attention is given to the adverse health effects of the pill in the media - and there are quite a few. Granted, the pill has improved throughout time and most of the more serious adverse effects have been corrected. The more recent brands are far less potent than when the pill was first introduced. Today we find headlines reading "The Pill Decreases Risk of Cancer" or observe commercials stating that "the birth control pill is good for you skin". The pill is exalted as a wonder drug and prescribed freely throughout the United States. Yet in a nation where Viagra is one of the top prescribed drugs, a male version of an oral contraceptive is far from reality. This issue clearly demonstrates the attitudes of not only the scientific community, but society as well.
Currently there are two contraceptive options for men - vasectomy and condoms. Vasectomy is a permanent birth control option for men. It is a surgical operation that causes sterility. Vasectomy blocks the vas deferens and keeps sperm out of seminal fluid, thus preventing pregnancy. Vasectomies are nearly 100 percent effective, they are safe and they don't limit sexual pleasure. However, this procedure is intended to be permanent. The other birth control option for males is the condom, which is not 100 percent effective against pregnancy. These are the only two options that men have today. Although these methods are relatively effective, they do not suit every couple's expectations of birth control (5).

One potential method of reversible male birth control that has been explored is the administration of hormones to men that wish to be temporarily sterile. Researchers are testing several types of hormonal contraceptives for men. One approach would use the hormone testosterone combined with a chemical called gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist, which blocks another hormone involved in the production of sperm (2). This approach would involve injection under the skin. Another possibility is combining testosterone and progestin hormones. Potential health benefits from a hormonal oral contraceptive for men could aid in advancement of this drug. According to some researchers, a hormone pill may decrease the risk for some cancers and reduce male pattern balding (2). However many hurdles remain, including concern about the negative effects of taking the pill over a long period of time. Dr. David Baird, professor at the Center for Reproductive Biology at the University of Edinburgh, expresses this concern, "If you ask me, 'What will happen if I take it for 30 years,' we can't know until enough men have taken it for 30 years" (2). The male birth control pill also faces financial obstacles; because of the attention on the negative side effects, researchers have encountered problems with funding. Negative side effects, however, are also present for the female birth control pill. Susanne Gnagy, an epidemiologic researcher at Stanford School of Medicine explains, "There haven't been many studies of women who have used the pill for a long period of time. Now that we've had 40 years of women using the pill, we're just beginning to raise questions" (1). The difference between these two concerns is obvious. The female oral contraceptive has been on the market for 40 years despite the fact that we still do not know the long-term effects; while the male version is being rejected because of the uncertainty of its possible long-term effects.

Another recent breakthrough in the medical field has brought attention to a drug called Nifedipine, a common medication used to lower blood pressure (3). According to Susan Benoff from New York School of Medicine, early research this shows that Nifedipine causes reversible male sterility. Nifedipine was introduced in 1982 and belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers (4). It is used primarily to treat angina and to improve circulation. These calcium blockers work by relaxing the muscles in the walls of the arteries. However, it also changes the structure of the cholesterol membrane of sperm and blocks its ability to bind to a woman's egg, therefore preventing pregnancy (3). The sterility effect usually wears off in 3 months. Benoff explains, "Our observation on the increased cholesterol synthesis suggest that compounds like Nifedipine, which regulate sperm membrane cholesterol, can be developed as male contraceptives." Research is still preliminary; but the drug has been on the market for 18 years and has been fully researched for its use for blood pressure treament. Benoff's research is stalled because she is unable to get funding. "Drug companies don't see the male as having an active role in family planning," Benoff explains. She has been turned down for funding by several large drug companies. Only one agreed that her research is worth looking into. She explains that drug companies she has approached don't want Nifedipine to be known for its effect on male reproduction (3).

Emphasis on the negative side effects in the media demonstrates the pharmaceutical industry's attitude towards the idea of male birth control. In an age when Viagra is one of the top selling and top promoted drugs, one cannot say that the American public is non-receptive to the idea of drugs that affect men's sexual function. As one author states, "The pill may be a good idea, but the maximization of profits sought out by large drug companies, forced upon them by capitalistic ideals, precludes any real development of this form of contraception" (6). The monetary risks of the male birth control pill outweigh the benefits. Why would the large drug companies research a male contraceptive when they can make more profit from Viagra? This attitude not only reflects the economic priorities of drug companies, but social priorities as well. Research and funding is put into contraceptive methods for women and sexual rejuvenation for men. The social message is clear - women take care of birth control and men take care of sexual performance.

When compared to the adverse health effects of the female birth control pill, the male pill, especially Nifedipine, actually appears to be less dangerous. However, one of the main concerns for opponents of the male birth control pill is a decrease in libido. This is one of the less common side effects of Nifedipine (3). Health risks of the female birth control pill include headache, mood changes, depression, an increased risk of blood clots, pulmonary embolism, heart attack, and stroke (1). Yet neither the public nor the pharmaceutical industry seem to be seriously disturbed by these factors. Again, the double standard is clear.

Birth control is clearly an issue of sexual politics. The female birth control pill has undergone extensive research since it was first introduced in 1960. It is hailed as "an advance in social justice that is in keeping with democratic values" and an instrument of the "power of reproductive capacity" (1). It is true that the pill gave women the power of reproductive choice. However, the fact remains that society regards birth control as a woman's responsibility. I do not argue that the pill has not been beneficial to advancements in women's reproductive rights. Nevertheless, it is important to point out that the freedom granted by the birth control pill is still within a patriarchal context. The promotion of research, effort and funding for the female birth control pill and lack of funding for the male version send a clear message; even within the freedoms of reproductive choice, women remain subject to society's assumptions about sex.

[ladyrowan]

I couldn't vote in this poll because the options were too limited.

I do agree that it should also be the mans responsibility, and in a stable relationship i see no problem.

However, in a permissive society, sex isn't always part of a stable, or even short term, relationship. Lots of people see nothing wrong with 'one night stands' and i can imagine it now..


Scene in any nightclub / bar around the world......

Woman - "Do you have any protection? I'm not on the pill"

Man - "Don't worry babe, I'm on the pill"

Woman - "Oh good. Lets go"


Hello????


BB

[Danustouch]

True...it would tend to make some people less willing to wear protection for the purposes of STD's. But in a case where both people are in a monogamous relationship, I think that a male birth control pill would be a very viable option, and one that needs further exploration. Many women have problems taking birth control pills, for various reasons. And condoms are not 100%effective against pregnancy, either. So, in those conditions, if the male in the relationship, were able to be put on the pill, or shot, and had no adverse side effects, I think it would be a wonderful thing. It just provides more "Options" for people.

As far as the condom thing goes, I think there are plenty of people NOW who pick eachother up, and if they don't have a condom, but the woman is on birth control, merely think they are protected....grrrrrrr...people need to be more aware of the risk of STD's all around.

I know that in my own life, there have been times that ..."oopsies" have happened WITH condoms....breaking, coming off, etc...in relationships with people that I did not have a real steady relationship...(though they weren't exactly one night stands, either)...and I would have been grateful for a "back up" measure such as birth control. But I was having too many difficulties with the various forms of the pill that I tried, so had to go through the worry of being pregnant. If the men I was with, had been on birth control themselves, the "oopsie" would have been a lot less frightening....

[ladyrowan]

Originally posted by ladyrowan
I couldn't vote in this poll because the options were too limited.

I do agree that it should also be the mans responsibility, and in a stable relationship i see no problem.

However, in a permissive society, sex isn't always part of a stable, or even short term, relationship. Lots of people see nothing wrong with 'one night stands' and i can imagine it now..


Scene in any nightclub / bar around the world......

Woman - "Do you have any protection? I'm not on the pill"

Man - "Don't worry babe, I'm on the pill"

Woman - "Oh good. Lets go"


She believes him? Hello????


BB

[Danustouch]

LOL..ok..that puts a differen't spin on it....the "she believes him" part. LOL. Yeah..I guess if they were to claim to be on the pill, they would have to have some sort of microchip implanted in their skin verifying it..for the women. LOL>

[Danustouch]

*BUMP*

[white_draco]

I wanna use the pill...I want my partner on the pill...I wanna wear a condom....

But I rather just have righty and lefty, they seem alot more safer....and alot more calm when worries about pregnancy come up...


- White Draco -

[Arduinna]

Of course research should continue on more forms of birth control, male and female.

But, if I was single and having a casual sexual encounter/relationship I wouldn't rely on the guy being on the pill. I mean we women are the ones that get pregnant, I personally wouldn't count on the guy being honest, there's too much at stake.

[IvyCeltress]

There was an interesting acticle in the Washingtron Post a several weeks ago about how a couple had worked out sharing the responsibility. They were a monogamous couple, who had been using condoms, and the man was wanting the woman to go on the Pill so they wouldn't have to use them. SHe agreed, but only on the condition that HE was responsible for picking up the perscriptions and making sure she took it every morning. It was quite an eye-opener to him, on how easy it was to forget to hand her the pill every morning.

I'm personally hoping that the common solution of Science Fiction writers will come to pass: That at around 12, boys and girls are givin injections to prevent pregnancy and then need another injection in order to become fertile.

[Phoenix Blue]

Unfortunately, it'll never happen - you'd see NOW and the Christian Coalition on the same side with that one, methinks, and they'd both be against it.

Wanderer and I have talked about this a bit, though. **Grins** There are male forms of birth control besides condoms, but they tend to be a bit more permanent. That doesn't really bother me, though, since I've had a child already and don't want any more.

[Brenners]

Whoa, I'm the only one that replied what we have is enough! I guess since I only use condoms, and I'm not the one wearing them, that I think this is enough. I suppose if I was on BCP I may think differently.

[DayDreamer]

I had my tubes tied nearly ten years ago, so "birth control" per se is not an issue for me. Casual sex has never been a problem to me, and I'm a firm believer in condoms, in any case. But I also believe that it should be an equal concern to both men and women, and there should be equal OPTIONS for men and women.

In my current relationship, STDs are not an issue. However... what if they were? Or what if I were just having casual sex right now?

Granted, the women are the ones paying the price of pregnancy, and I think that any woman who does NOT want a pregnancy owes it to herself to either keep her legs closed or find a reliable method of birth control. But I also think that men should share the responsibility for preventing pregnancy,and with the condom being the only method THEY have to ouse... well, that's not exactly a shared responsibility.

[Amethyst Rose]

There was an interesting acticle in the Washingtron Post a several weeks ago about how a couple had worked out sharing the responsibility. They were a monogamous couple, who had been using condoms, and the man was wanting the woman to go on the Pill so they wouldn't have to use them. SHe agreed, but only on the condition that HE was responsible for picking up the perscriptions and making sure she took it every morning. It was quite an eye-opener to him, on how easy it was to forget to hand her the pill every morning.



Before I got pregnant, this is how my husband and I planned on doing things, because he would be more likely to remember to get me the pill, because he was more paranoid about me getting pregnant. However, the only thing he refused to do was go to the pharmasy and get the perscription filled.... the wimp. Anyway, that's why I'm now pregnant. :)

And in response to



Woman - "Do you have any protection? I'm not on the pill"

Man - "Don't worry babe, I'm on the pill"

Woman - "Oh good. Lets go"


She believes him? Hello????


Women are just as capable of lying in the heat of passion, or even in the bar, as men are. I mean, when I was young and stupid, I lied about it. Sometimes I think men are just as stupid for believing a woman when she says she's on the pill.

[MoonRaven]

I was on the Pill for a while, and it screwed me up like you wouldn't believe. I refuse to touch the damned things again (and before anyone tells me I should have tried switching, THAT'S what caused all the problems).

My BF and I have agreed that if they came out with some kind of non-permanent birth control for men (because barrier methods are stinky and expensive), he'd probably try it, so it would be nice to see them get the experimental one they're working on going... i.e. stop it from giving men boobs.

[Shanti]

Well, it sure would help many couples with the BC delema. For medical reasons I cant take any hormone based BC. So I am stuck with the delema of BC or we have to use comdons forever and neither of us like that choice. For a couple, it would be nice if the guy had more than one option.

[Elfa Wylde]

I think there never enough birth control. while the "only sure way" is absintence... tell me... who's REALLY gonna go with that? it's just not in our nature in general (there'a always exceptions) to NOT do it. I mean.. DANG i LIKE sex.. i'm NOT gonna give it up... but i SURE don't want more kids... i have two already and they're MORE than ENOUGH. so what do i do? sure.. there's condoms....but that's not sure... and the pill... well.. i have asthma and i'm told the pill can aggrivate it... then there's tubal ligation.. but there's the asthma again making anesthia difficult... and vasectamy... but he think's he needs to be knocked out totally and not wake up until there's no chance of pain...(LOL)
so where does that leave me? How about a "man pill?" or perhaps something to help speed up menopause (since i'm now officially started it) because you can get pregnant at weird times durring peri-menopause (before your periods stops... and even after until you've been without for 12 months or longer) My great grandmother had her last child at the age of 52. and hadn't had a period for 7 months BEFORE she got pregnant.....no.. no... we need MORE Birth controll options!

[Tsuchimaru]

I think there never enough birth control. while the "only sure way" is absintence... tell me... who's REALLY gonna go with that?

Most likely me. :D

Personally, I think the forms we have now work well enough. I don't like the idea of a male pill....probably because I don't like medication at all.....

[ObsidianShenKa]

Man-pill good.

Man-pill very good.

[Muireannach]

I think that in a monogamous serious relationship any new forms of birth control are worth a try (the female could be allergic to most forms of birth control or have health issues etc.), however, the permiscuous may find it difficult to determine truth from lie on both sides.

[dreamingmystic]

I think there never enough birth control. while the "only sure way" is absintence... tell me... who's REALLY gonna go with that? it's just not in our nature in general (there'a always exceptions) to NOT do it. I mean.. DANG i LIKE sex.. i'm NOT gonna give it up... but i SURE don't want more kids... i have two already and they're MORE than ENOUGH. so what do i do? sure.. there's condoms....but that's not sure... and the pill... well.. i have asthma and i'm told the pill can aggrivate it... then there's tubal ligation.. but there's the asthma again making anesthia difficult... and vasectamy... but he think's he needs to be knocked out totally and not wake up until there's no chance of pain...(LOL)
so where does that leave me? How about a "man pill?" or perhaps something to help speed up menopause (since i'm now officially started it) because you can get pregnant at weird times durring peri-menopause (before your periods stops... and even after until you've been without for 12 months or longer) My great grandmother had her last child at the age of 52. and hadn't had a period for 7 months BEFORE she got pregnant.....no.. no... we need MORE Birth controll options!
I think the diaphram is the best form of birth control without the use of hormones or condemns, since they can break or have tiny holes in them. I've used diaphrams for years once I went off the pill (at 35) and it worked well. You will need to get fitted for one with a Doctor and use spermicide along with it. You need to keep wearing it for a few hours afterwords but it's worth it. As long as you are not alergic to latex.:ack:

[Tzhebee]

I think creating other options for male birth-control is good. I mean, us women have how many different forms of birth control?

I'm not talking about preventing STD's, because that is different than "birth-control".

So, go ahead and give the guys a patch, a pill, a shot, impants, etc. Then they can be just as responsible as the women.

[The High Queen of Faerie]

i think that women and men should both share the responsibility... :)

[~Broken Lily~]

I don't like the idea of male birth control. At the end of the day it's the woman who has the baby. It should be up to her to protect herself. This can be anything from being on the pill to making a man wear a condom.

Can any woman really say that they would fell completley safe if the man used the birth control. In the back of your mind you will always be thinking "what if he forgot to take it"

At the end of the day when a guy shoots his load, he can walk away. He is not made to be a farther if he doesn't want to.

[fireswimmer]

I like the idea of a pill for men. I am not a fan of taking the pill for myself because I had issues with it before. I know there are options but once you have been on that roller coaster of hormones the mere thought of a risk of going back can set your heart pounding.

As for the lie factor. In the U.S child support can be a very large burden. I think that men who simply trust the women are on the pill are putting themselves at a fairly serious risk. I am nto talking the almost anonymous one night stands that some people engage in. I am talking abotu a step up from that. I know that the issue has come up with athletes and celebrities.

I like the fact that they are looking at more options. If the options that we had were enough there would nto be as many problems as there are.

[The High Queen of Faerie]

I don't like the idea of male birth control. At the end of the day it's the woman who has the baby. It should be up to her to protect herself. This can be anything from being on the pill to making a man wear a condom.

should the man not also be partly responsible, since without him she would not be pregnant in the first place?


Can any woman really say that they would fell completley safe if the man used the birth control. In the back of your mind you will always be thinking "what if he forgot to take it"

not particularly. i myself think that both parties should use birth control - at least have two methods of birth control going on, be it a condom and the pill, etc. that way, if one fails, you always have the other method to fall back on. no method of birth control is 100% effective, save getting an operation.


At the end of the day when a guy shoots his load, he can walk away. He is not made to be a farther if he doesn't want to.

and not all women are made to be mothers. i believe that both parties should take equal responsibility when it comes to birth control, because both play a vital part in the creation of a new life. without the female aspect, there would be no baby born, and likewise without the male aspect. why should a male be free of responsibility when he had a part in making the woman pregnant if the birth control fails?

[soilsigh aingeal]

in the case that all parties involved know each other and know what they're gettin into, than yeah, I'm all for it but in the case where it's some "club/bar scene" than I'm against it because ANYONE can say they're on the pill.

my ex didn't like condoms so I was the one responsible for going on the pill, not him, I could have cared less! I think he should have did it!

In the end, if both parties want to avoid pregnancy than both parties should take birth control. And even if one of them does, having a baby should be a mutual descision. The more protection the better.

[Athena-Nadine]

Who's to say men wouldn't be even more diligent about taking a pill than women? Men are often more terrified of an unwanted pregnancy. Yes, there are those who don't wear condoms, for whatever reason--be it irresponsibility or something else. However, there are many more responsible men than not. Personally, I find the double standard insulting.

[Athena-Nadine]

I don't like the idea of male birth control. At the end of the day it's the woman who has the baby. It should be up to her to protect herself. This can be anything from being on the pill to making a man wear a condom.
Man have just as much to do with conception as a woman. Both people are responsible for it. It's this constantly letting men off the hook that propagates these stereotypes.


Can any woman really say that they would fell completley safe if the man used the birth control. In the back of your mind you will always be thinking "what if he forgot to take it"
I can. Seeing as how every man I know who doesn't want children at this point is terrified of an accident, they would be more than happy to have an easy, effective way to prevent it. The fact that a man is a man does not make him any more or less responsible than a woman.


At the end of the day when a guy shoots his load, he can walk away. He is not made to be a farther if he doesn't want to.
That's crap. Women don't have to either. That's why abortion is legal. I feel no sympathy for a woman who gets pregnant accidentally then complains that she has to raise a child when she didn't want to. She made the choice to do so. No man is responsible for her choices--only his own. No woman is responsible for a man's choices--only her own.

[Tzhebee]

I'm going to expand my answer a bit.

I think it's a great idea because then men can be responsible for themselves. I keep seeing all these posts about women not liking the men on the pill because "who knows if they are really taking it"...EXACTLY! That's how the men feel now! For those men who *want* to be more responsible for themselves, without having to rely on the women...it's a great idea.

It should in no way lessen a woman's choice or ability to protect herself.

[Athena-Nadine]

I'm going to expand my answer a bit.

I think it's a great idea because then men can be responsible for themselves. I keep seeing all these posts about women not liking the men on the pill because "who knows if they are really taking it"...EXACTLY! That's how the men feel now! For those men who *want* to be more responsible for themselves, without having to rely on the women...it's a great idea.

It should in no way lessen a woman's choice or ability to protect herself.
*...nods...* Yep. I can't even tell you how many times I've heard of one woman or another deciding to stop taking the pill without telling her SO just because she wanted to have a baby and he didn't. *...shudders...* I don't know how the men stand it.

[LadyTrinity]

I personally like the methods out there. I wouldnt trust my man to stay on a male birth control because people forget.. women do. :shhhh:
I love my IUD... I recommend it to ANYONE.
As far as male birth control goes, I still feel the woman should protect her self even if he is on something.
Both partners can be on birth control. :thumbsup:

[Bec_W]

To be honest, if I was a single man who was interested in having casual sex I'd be more interested in a good form of birth control. I don't think the pill, male or female should replace a condom in a situation that involves casual sex, but it would be a nice back up.

In a situation of a stable relationship (me still being a man) I'd still be interested in a male contraceptive. Particularly if I was not interested in having children.

I don't think a male contraceptive lessens the responsibility for the women, but I think it's a great idea for a man's peace of mind

[RogueSpirit]

For me, birth control pills are no longer an option. I took them from the age of 16 until 23 and have tired to get back on them over the last 12 years without any success. I don't know what happened, but I can't find a pill that doesn't cause me to have breakthrough bleeding and/or severe nausea. When I was on the pill, it wasn't just something I was using for birth control... I had hormonal problems that the pill helped to correct. I wasn't married and for a while had a long term relationship going on, but I didn't feel it was his responsibility to help me pay for what was essentially my medication.

When I got off of the pill, I originally started using a diaphragm. It was nice while it lasted, but I am now extremely sensitive to latex. To my knowledge (and I haven't researched this, so I could be wrong) diaphragms are only made in latex form. There was only a one time charge for this and it was covered by my insurance with a copay, so no need to have my then SO help pay for it. Then I started using the Today Sponge... who bought it was dependant upon when it was bought. I tended to keep them on hand, but if I was out and he was with me when we picked them up, he offered to buy and I let him. Unfortunately, the Today Sponge is no more. Can't wait until it comes back.

Right now I am not in a long term relationship and I feel that it is up to me to make sure I don't get pregnant. I don't trust that kind of thing to others... and it really isn't about men not being trustworthy (I don't look at men as a whole in that way). It's about it being me who would have to deal with the consequences and they aren't consequences I want to deal with. Something about the IUD (perhaps the problems it once had) makes me uncomfortable with the idea of using it. I'm sure it works fine, but I like to feel comfortable with what I am using. So I use condoms. And even though it's a guy method, I still buy them because most people just automatically pick up latex and I can't use them. That is my problem so it's my responsibility.

Do I think birth control responsibility should be equal? Yes. Do I think it is equal? Depends on what you mean by that. Equal as in do men and women share the responsibility or is it mostly women who are expected to handle it? I think that's an individual choice. I also think that if you don't want a baby with all the responsibility that goes along with that, then it's your responsibility to handle it on your end regardless of your gender. Do I think the drug industry or something should offer equal forms of birth control for men and women? Yes. But as far as other guy birth control... like the pill... that's all well and good. But I have had sex with men who didn't trust anyone enough to take the risk that the pill either would fail or that the person was lying. And I can't say I blame them. As many women have been known to lie about using something so she could trap a man with a child as men have conned women into having sex without using anything because he didn't like having anything in the way of his pleasure but wasn't interested in taking care of the result. So I would still insist on using something else myself. For me, something else is condoms. If he won't wear one, then he won't be having sex with me.

[LadyTrinity]

I was on the Pill for a while, and it screwed me up like you wouldn't believe. I refuse to touch the damned things again (and before anyone tells me I should have tried switching, THAT'S what caused all the problems).

My BF and I have agreed that if they came out with some kind of non-permanent birth control for men (because barrier methods are stinky and expensive), he'd probably try it, so it would be nice to see them get the experimental one they're working on going... i.e. stop it from giving men boobs.


Me too! I was irritable and dint want to be touched. talk about birth control! LOL.. :crazylaug

[AbyssRose]

Well, I believe that the methods of birth control out there are fine right now.. personally I dont trust my guy to take mens birth control everyday.. that would just be another thing for me to worry about everyday if hes taken it or not.. but im not against it.. just not for me..

[OldSoulsBody]

I have to agree...I can't say that I would feel at ease if depending on my man (stable relationship or not) to remember the birth control. I mean it's bad enough for the woman to have to remember it between her daily life (BTW...I'm currently on the Ortho-Evra patch and think it's fabulous). I mean, if a man was taking it as a back-up plan and both partners were on birth control or practicing safe sex...then fine. But to rely solely on male birth control....no way!

[Haruka2077]

I think more attention should be paid to male birth control. My husband is interested in it because I plan on breastfeeding after the baby's born, but we haven't been able to find very many options for him.

[kal]

i would be willing to take a pill for the male but only in a commited relationship
im more worried about a std or hiv than i am of having a child
so for now i will stick with the latex party pooper

[bbnflpn]

i think it should be a joint responsibility, and it shouldnt go down well whos on the pill, ultimatly you can only trust your self to take meidcations properly. and as much as sam kinnison gets on my nerves i do like his idea about birth control,

a spray can, you spray it on your genitals, and it protects from stds, and pregnacy at the same time now that is a good idea. no desensitation, possibly hypoalergenic (of corse there will aways be a selection of the population that will not beable to use it for some reason or another) and you both can carry it no problem like a breath spray. (travel size or economy ahaha)

[RunningRiot]

I always thought, "Why do women have to do all these things to their body, that could potentially hurt them, and men don't need to do anything that could cause lasting damage?"

I think a male version would be great.