Next Up For Male Contraception: Reversible Hormone Injections

October 5, 2009

When it comes to birth control options, women have the pill, the patch, the ring, the diaphragm, IUDs . . . the list goes on and on. Men have the condom. Scientist are working on more convenient ways for men to take charge of birth control, and now couples in Europe are being recruited to test a new form of male contraception: reversible hormone injections.

Men would get the injections every two months, causing their sperm count to drop to levels that make conception nearly impossible. The effects would be fully reversible.

Do you think men will get on board with this? Would you still use contraception yourself, even if your partner received these injections?

Source: Getty

13 Comments

xxstardust 3 years

I'd be perfectly happy for my boyfriend to go on it, once it had been thoroughly tested (say, 10 years down the line?). I'd stay on the pill, though - I went on it a long time before I started having sex because it helps control my bleeding disorder. I'm *never* going off it if I don't have to, except when I'm trying to get pregnant.

b1uebunn 3 years

This is great. My husband would take it in a heartbeat. If it works, why back up? That seems like wild overkill.

seancurry1 3 years

Ok, maybe ten years is a long time, but the point remains- I'd want to wait and see what the effects are.

seancurry1 3 years

As a dude, I'd be all for something like this, in theory. But one advantage the many, MANY forms of female contraception have is that they've been around and widely used for a long time. People know what the potential side effects are at this point (or at least can find out if they want to know). I'd want to wait about ten years before doing something like this. I wouldn't want to risk losing all my guys forever on a fluke batch of bad, untested drugs.

GlowingMoon 3 years

I'm with Pistil. I'm wondering about possible side effects, too. Given that I suffer when I'm on the pill, I'm wary of this injection for my husband. I don't want him to suffer, as I had. We use the condom, and we're content with it.

GlowingMoon 3 years

I'm with Pistil. I'm wondering about possible side effects, too.Given that I suffer when I'm on the pill, I'm wary of this injection for my husband. I don't want him to suffer, as I had.We use the condom, and we're content with it.

Pistil 3 years

It doesn't mention any known side effects, not that contraceptive pills and shots for women are completely free of side effects. I'd still be wary until it's tested more thoroughly, and even then I honestly don't mind the responsibility of a pill everyday. It is my body after all, and my body that will have to bare the burden if I should become pregnant.

POPSUGAR Beauty 3 years

I don't like hormonal birth control for myself, but if a dude partner wanted to use it, I'd be all for it!

tlsgirl 3 years

I would always use both. I'm with Hiding on the benefits, and I would HATE to get pregnant.

Hiding55 3 years

I'd probably keep taking the pill since it makes me periods so wonderfully pain free and regular. It would be nice to not have to worry about missing a pill here and there though.

ella1978 3 years

I'm sure I'd still use something. I have a bad feeling that some of the negative effects of drugs like depo may happen with these injections. I know two women who quit getting depo injections because of the potential loss of bone density.. i wonder if that has been taken into consideration here too?

ella1978 3 years

mix tape 3 years

I have wacky hormones and going on any type of birth control just makes me even crazier than I already am!! When I was in a long term committed relationship my partner wished he could have an option for himself other than condoms. I think most men would be responsible enough to take it, considering they don't want a kid any time either! I would worry more about STDs if guys went on birth control, but over all I think it's a great idea. About time!!

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13 Comments