TresSugar

Male Birth Control Pill May Be on Its Way

DearSugar — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 10:00:00 -0800

There's been talk about a male birth control pill that guys can take to stop their sperm production and prevent pregnancy. It's reversible, just like the female pill, so when a man stops taking it, he'll begin producing sperm again. This video states that the man pill has positive side effects for guys that might entice them like increased muscle and bone mass (we're talking all around body muscle, not his man muscle). Right now, this male pill is being tested on humans, but only for its muscle-building benefits. Researchers say that we'll have to wait at least 5 to 10 years for a version that will prevent pregnancy.

A part of me feels like the male pill is a great idea, because it's really not fair that so many women are the ones in charge of preventing pregnancy. Besides condoms, most other forms of contraception like the Pill, the Patch, the NuvaRing, implants, diaphragms, and the Shot, all involve our effort and our bodies. I think it's about time that a male birth control option was available so we can share the responsibility.

On the other hand, another part of me wonders if I'd even trust that the guy I was with would be mature enough to remember to take the pill everyday and at the same time. I can just picture it. I'm making out with a guy and he says, "Don't worry baby, I'm on the pill." I don't think I'd be 100 percent convinced.

So ladies, what do you think of the male birth control pill? Would you want birth control to be in the hands of your man? Do you think guys would even consider taking hormones?

Top 10 Slogans for the New Male Birth Control Pill

GiggleSugar — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 11:15:00 -0800

A male birth control pill may be on the market soon. Which slogan do you like best?

10. "The Never-Knocker-Upper"

9. "Recommended By 4 Out of 5 Doctors Who Cheat On Their Wives"

8. "The Last Thing You Need Is Some Baby Mama Drama"

7. "Safe, Effective Way To Avoid Male Pregnancy"

6. "Available In Regular, Extra Strength And Sinatra"

5. "Pop One In Before You Pop One Off"

4. "For Stress-Free Adultery!"

3. "He Shoots, He Doesn't Score!"

2. "Take Matters Into Your Own Hands, So You Don't Have To 'Take Matters Into Your Own Hand'"

1. "Charlie Sheen Tested, Charlie Sheen Approved"

(David Letterman's Top Ten Slogans For The New Male Birth Control Pill)

Next Up For Male Contraception: Reversible Hormone Injections

TresSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0700

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?

Male Contraception Is on the Horizon

TresSugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 10:15:00 -0700

Imagine throwing away your birth control pills and asking your significant other to take on the burden of contraception.

Scientists are getting closer to making that a reality with their work on testosterone injections to temporarily block sperm production. (Six months after the injections, men's sperm counts return to normal.) Trials in China so far show promise: one man in a 100 fathered a child while on the injections.

The injections may be available in about five years, but for now, men's contraceptive options are condom use, vasectomy, and . . . withdrawal (obviously, the least safe method). Interestingly, only a third of men polled by the Family Planning Association said they were interested in hormonal contraception. And, even though there are no serious side effects to the injections, almost a third of the 1,045 men in the Chinese trials stopped participating, and none gave reasons why.

If hormone injections as male contraception became available and you knew they were as effective as the pill, would you want your significant other to try it? Would you foresee any problems in negotiating responsibility for birth control between you both?

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Vasectomies: Good Form of Birth Control?

DearSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:00:00 -0800

Women have many birth control options ranging from The Pill to the IUCs, but men can only rely on condoms to prevent pregnancy. There is another more invasive option though - a vasectomy. Although this seems like a procedure for older men, it turns out that more and more young men are opting for this minor surgery. The procedure is short, can be done in a doctor's office with local anesthesia, and the guy can usually go back to work within a day or two. Young men are into this as a form of contraception because they've heard it can be reversed. So is it a good form of birth control? To find out read more.

First off, let's chat a little about what a vasectomy is. This minor surgery involves making a small incision or hole in the upper part of the man's scrotum. His vas deferens tubes are tied off, so that when he ejaculates, there is no sperm is his semen - in other words, he shoots blanks.

This type of surgery is recommended for older men who don't want any more children, or those who are absolutely certain they never want to be a father. Doctors discourage young men from having a vasectomy because although the procedure can be reversed, it isn't always successful. Of the 10 to 15 percent of guys who change their mind about becoming a father, they'll have to deal with a much more involved operation than the initial procedure (three to four hours long) and there are no guarantees it will be successful.

A vasectomy doesn't prevent against STIs, so a guy will still need to wear a condom unless he's certain his partner is STI-free. I think it's better to be safe than sorry so in my opinion, guys should stick with condoms until there's a male pill!

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What's the Right Birth Control For You? Part One

DearSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:00:05 -0700

There's been a lot of news about STIs lately. We all know it's important to protect yourself against disease, but it's also important to protect yourself against pregnancy if having a baby isn't part of your immediate plan. Maybe you already have a method that works for you, but in case you're unhappy and want to explore other options, I've put together a three-part series on finding the right method.

Want to see part one? Then read more

Method	Pros	Cons
Birth control pills	You only have to think about them once a day, and they monitor your period so you either always know when you're getting it or you can choose not to get it at all. They're 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.	Some people don't like the idea of taking hormones because of the possible side effects like blood clots and stroke. They may also decrease your sex drive, make you moody, or cause weight gain. Plus the pill does not protect you against STIs.
Male condoms	They're cheap ($5 for a 12 pack), you can buy them at most drugstores, they're easy to use, and they can protect you against STIs. They're also easily reversible, meaning that you can try getting pregnant as soon as you stop using them. All this and they're 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.	You have to stop what you're doing to put one on, which interrupts the flow of intimacy and can be a real turn off for some people.
Female condoms	They can protect against STIs better than male condoms since they cover your entire mucous membrane. They're made with polyurethane so they're great for people with latex allergies. You can also insert one up to eight hours before intercourse, so you don't have to interrupt intimacy by putting one on.	They're more expensive than male condoms ($10 for a 5 pack), and many women complain that they're harder to use and can be noisy.
The NuvaRing	You only have to think about it once a month. It's monophasic, meaning it delivers a steady amount of hormone consistently, which is great if other forms of hormonal birth control tend to make you moody. Plus it's 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.	It doesn't protect against STIs, and some men complain that they can feel it when they have sex with a woman. It's also been known to fall out.

These are just some of the methods that are available to women. Tune in tomorrow for part two!

How Do I Choose the Right Condom?

DearSugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:00:00 -0700

When it comes to birth control, condoms may be a drag (because you're not really in direct contact with your partner), but when used properly, they are extremely effective at preventing pregnancy and STIs and they don't require the woman to be on hormones like the Pill, the Patch, the Nuvaring, the Shot, or the Implant. In addition to protecting you, condoms can help if the guy reaches orgasm too quickly by decreasing sensations.

With so many kinds of condoms out there, it's tough to know how to pick the right one. It's important to think about what the condom is made of, if it comes with lubricant, and what size to buy, etc. To figure out how to choose read more

Material - Latex condoms are awesome because they protect against STIs and prevent pregnancy. Most condoms are made out of latex, but remember to only use water-based lubes with these. Unfortunately, some women have a sensitivity to latex that causes an unbearable burning irritation. If that's the case, try these...

Polyurethane condoms also protect against STIs and prevent pregnancy, and are great for those with a sensitivity to latex. Durex Avanti and Trojan Supra are made out of polyurethane. These transmit heat well, and are ultra-thin and strong so they may feel more comfortable than latex condoms. Both water-based and oil-based lubricants can be used with these condoms.

Lambskin condoms are made out of lamb intestines and while the pores of this material are not large enough to allow sperm through, much smaller bacteria and viruses may easily slip in and out between the condom so be aware that lambskin condoms DO prevent pregnancy, but DON'T protect against STIs including HIV. I've also heard that these break easily so be careful.

Lubricant - Lube can really help make sex more enjoyable, but some lubes on condoms contain the spermicide Nonoxynol-9. This can also cause irritation, so before declaring that you are allergic to latex, try using a condom that is free of spermicide first. If the spermicide bothers you, buy a condom without it and use your own separate personal lube instead.

Size - Most condoms are a one size fits all kind of thing however, if you sleeping with a well-endowed man, you'll need to buy bigger sized condoms. You don't want your man's condom to be too snug a fit as it's both uncomfortable and poses a greater risk for breakage, so pick up a box of Trojan Magnums if regular condoms don't fit - they're a great choice.

For Added Pleasure - Some condoms are colored, have ribs or pleasure spots, some are flavored, and some even tingle Just be sure to read the labels on these to make sure they say that they're effective in preventing pregnancy and STIs.

Style - You can also try out a female condom. This is another option that the woman inserts inside her vagina instead of the traditional condoms that fit on the man's penis. It's made out of polyurethane, contains no spermicide, and is 95% effective at preventing pregnancy. They tend to make noise though, which can kill the mood, and some women find them harder to insert than male condoms. They're also a little bit more expensive, but they may protect you better from STIs since they cover up more of your mucous membrane.

Whatever your choice, make sure the condom is on right or else they won't keep you protected.

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