Birth Control Options for Men

Birth control has long been considered a woman’s responsibility. The only method available for men to reduce the risk of pregnancy for their partners other than abstinence has been the condom. However, with today’s technology, many birth control options for men have been emerging over the past few years.

Although condoms are still a 75% effective form of birth control, most men do not favor them and there are complaints that some brands are not strong enough, or that a latex allergy prevents their use of condoms.

Suspensories are briefs that are specially designed to hold the testes closer to the body and increase their temperature. They must be worn on a daily basis to provide effective contraception. On the outside, they look like a normal pair of brief underwear or an athletic support. Suspensories suppress sperm counts while making the remaining sperm poor swimmers.

External Heat is based on the principle that if you subject the testes to heat, the sperm counts drop (which is similar to the use of Suspensories). Since external heat sources can be considerably warmer than body temperature, the length of required exposure for effective contraception is shorter than for suspensories. This method can use daily sitz baths, saunas, incandescent light bulbs and even ultrasound. Several inventors have created battery-powered pouches that heat the testes.

RISUG (Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance) is an injectable compound that has two contraceptive effects: It partially blocks the vasa deferentia (tubes that carry sperm), and disrupts the sperm that pass through it. It can provide effective contraception for up to 10 years per dose. It is effective immediately, has few side effects, and has proven to be reversible. It is also possible that smaller doses could provide shorter periods of contraception.

Nifedipine is a high blood pressure (hypertension) and migraine pill taken daily. Nifedipine belongs to a class of drugs known as calcium channel blockers (CCBs). Studies have shown that CCBs partially block the calcium channels in the cell membranes of sperm. This affects sperm function rather than production. A man taking nifedipine will produce a normal amount of sperm that appears functional when viewed through a microscope. However, in vitro tests show that these sperm cannot fertilize an egg. Recent studies have shown that it might be possible to create a drug that would affect only the appropriate sperm calcium channels.

Vasectomies have been an option for birth control for men for some time. The surgery is fairly simple and is usually done in a physician's office. The tubes in the male reproductive system that carry sperm (called deferens) are cut and sealed. This prevents the transport of sperm out of the testes. This surgery doesn’t affect a man's potency but is permanent in most cases.

Progesterone injections have been tested on men as a form of birth control. This female hormone lowers sperm count in men without any side effects. It should be available to men in about a year when procedure effectiveness testing is completed.

The male contraceptive pill stops the production of sperm. Men could take one pill daily or simply have one a few hours before sexual intercourse. The pill does not affect sexual satisfaction and is more appealing than the female contraceptive pill because it is hormone-free. Men won't have to worry about side effects such as an increased risk for heart attacks, strokes or blood clots that have the potential to be fatal. This pill will be available in about one year.

Talk to your physician for more information on birth control for men and family planning approaches. Your age, health, and lifestyle play an important role in selecting an effective method that will keep both partners healthy and happy.