Is This a Good Idea? Birth Control Pills for Men?

December 02, 2009

I was desperately trolling the Internet for an idea for this blog when I came across a genuinely intriguing headline in Science Daily:

Birth Control Pill for Men? Scientists Find a Hormonal On-and-Off Switch for Male Fertility

The article details a breakthrough study by researchers at the Queen’s Medical Research Institute in Edinburgh, who studied mice with a missing gene to figure out how and where androgen works in the male testes to control sperm production and male fertility.

The on-off switch discovered by the scientists could conceivably be used to help men who suffer from infertility due to low sperm count. But that’s nowhere near as provocative as the other potential application, which would be to develop a male oral contraceptive akin to the ones that have been available for women the past 50 years.

The male birth control pill is an idea that’s been floating around for a long time. According to Nelly Oudshoorn’s 2003 book “The Male Pill: A Biography of a Technology in the Making,” scientists have been trying to develop a male oral contraceptive since the 1950s. But research efforts proceeded slowly, in part because drug companies weren’t that interested in funding a product that they weren’t sure men would actually use.

Recently, though, there has been news of progress toward a male contraceptive on multiple fronts.  ABC News recently reported that in a study of more than 1,000 fertile Chinese men, a once-a-month injection of testosterone undecanoate achieved a 95 percent success rate at preventing pregnancy. (Though testosterone normally triggers sperm production, too much of it can shut it down.) Here’s a recent MSNBC story about University of Washington researchers who are testing several different male birth control technologies: a daily testosterone pill, a patch similar to the ones that smokers use to control their addition, and a time-release contraceptive that could be injected under the skin once a year.

Using testosterone as a contraceptive, however, is a controversial notion.  Some medical experts point to past studies showing testosterone to be less than reliable at preventing pregnancy. Other experts fear that it may lead to permanent sterility, a side-effect that has afflicted steroid-abusing muscleheads. That’s why the new UK study is such a big deal: it suggests a way to manipulate male sperm production genetically, without dosing the body with hormones.

Assuming such a male pill turns out to be safe and effective, though, there are still other hurdles to overcome. Would men, who’ve grown accustomed to leaving birth control up to their female partners, be willing to step up to the plate? And would women who’ve found it necessary to hector their mates to take out the trash and hang up their bath towels trust them to take their pill every night?

I haven’t been able to find any recent U.S. attitudinal research on male contraception, but this 1995 New York Times article isn’t very encouraging. A poll back in the day found that 73 percent of women thought men were "not responsible enough" to choose a birth control method -- and nearly 70 percent of men agreed. One caveat: the survey didn’t ask subjects about a male pill. A 2000 survey of women in Scotland, China and South Africa, which did get into specifics, was considerably more positive: 90 percent liked the idea of a male contraceptive, and only 36 percent said that they wouldn’t trust their partners to take it.
So what do you think? Is it worth developing a male birth control pill? And could women trust men to use it? Express your opinion below.

Comments

[Susan Shepherd]

The first thing that comes to mind, is that while it might seem convenient for those in long term reltionships, the matter still goes beyond trust. The simple fact is that it is the female who carries the child and if the male suddenly decides to stop taking the pill or bolt when he learns she is pregnant, she has the most to lose.

I think it would be best used by men for their own personal protection - if they really didn't want to risk having a child - but then there are condoms for that or a more permnent solution - vasectomy.
When it omes right down to it, the individual (male or female) has to be responsible for their own body and not rely on someone else to protect it.

[Danny G.]

This could be just the thing for playaz! Just kidding. Seriously, though, it's a great thing for single men because they wouldnt have to worry about being hit with paternity suits anymore.

[Danny G.]

This could be just the thing for playaz! Just kidding. Seriously, though, it's a great thing for single men because they wouldnt have to worry about being hit with paternity suits anymore.

[Astroboy]

This is great for me because i dont want to ahve kids!!!!

[Natural Man]

This is so TOTALLY UNNATURAL. It's unbelievable that any man would take a pill like this.Who knows what the side effects would be, not to mention the spiritual harm!

[Shane]

I think the big issue here is not whether guys will take a male contraceptive pill. The big issue is whether or not it will be as effective the female pill or other available forms of contraception.

[Denise]

I don't think men will use a birth control pill. It's just too alien to their cultural upbringing and how they perceive their role in relationships.

[mike young]

im not sure where to email this? we know how to scrub carbon, some poeple wunt to warm up mars so lets send it there useing hydrogen power

[mike young]

sending carbon to mars. i didnt know the email thing wasnt going to be there

[Astroboy]

I like Mike young's idea about sending carbon dioxide to mars.

[Cynthia]

This bears repeating: The birth control pill, Yaz, has been linked to a number of adverse reactions, including strokes and lawsuits are growing over these issues. Here is some good information: http://www.yaz-may-cause-strokes.com/

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[Jovhenni]

This is a great idea, if only it would be as effective as female contraceptives..

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[Dating Women]

Apart from the unknown side effects, men don't like to take anything that will affect their reproductive system.

[Golf Swing Videos]

Getting men to use birth control...It is hard enough to get them to wear condoms much less take pills.

[Golf Swing Videos]

Men only take pills if they are hurting. Otherwise they will make every excuse in the book not to take it.

[Puppy Training]

What about the side effects for men taking birth control pills?? The drug not lie about their products, right?

[Dog Obedience Training]

I can imagine what the commercial on TV would be like. "This pill will prevent pregnancy. The side effects are: Heath attack, headaches, skin rash, high blood pressure" and on and on. This will be a hard pill for men to swallow.