Male contraceptive pill moves closer

[puntingking]

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this will be great.

At the moment -
women's options are birth control pill, female condoms, female contraceptive implant and abortion.

Men's options are male condoms or 18 years of child maintenance 


it will be a good thing in the not to distant future to see the male birth control pill to come around 

[alabama1]

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this will be great.

At the moment -
women's options are birth control pill, female condoms, female contraceptive implant and abortion.

Men's options are male condoms or 18 years of child maintenance 


it will be a good thing in the not to distant future to see the male birth control pill to come around 

I doubt it. How can a woman be sure that he has taken it ? It will be ultimately up to her to look after herself as regards birth control, as has always been the case. A condom would give her more peace of mind than a male pill that he may or may not have taken

[puntingking]

I doubt it. How can a woman be sure that he has taken it ? It will be ultimately up to her to look after herself as regards birth control, as has always been the case. A condom would give her more peace of mind than a male pill that he may or may not have taken

It is about peace of mind for eachother.
The woman would be still able to take her pill and he can take his pill.
They both can take their own gender spercific birth control pill.

The man should not rely on the woman and vice versa.

[puntingking]

I doubt it. How can a woman be sure that he has taken it ? It will be ultimately up to her to look after herself as regards birth control, as has always been the case. A condom would give her more peace of mind than a male pill that he may or may not have taken

How can a man be sure she have taken the pill?
There are plenty of woman out there who has tricked the guy she slept with to become pregnant.
Unless you are of the view that all women are saints 

[scutty brown]

this story, or one like it, gets trotted out in the press annually - and has been for years. It'll disappear and never get heard of again - until next year, when someone else repeats it again. But there will be no progress

[timsussex]

It is about peace of mind for eachother.
The woman would be still able to take her pill and he can take his pill.
They both can take their own gender spercific birth control pill.

The man should not rely on the woman and vice versa.

agreed it should be 50-50 but

only one gets pregnant  so the risk is more like 95-5

[puntingking]

this story, or one like it, gets trotted out in the press annually - and has been for years. It'll disappear and never get heard of again - until next year, when someone else repeats it again. But there will be no progress

lawmakers would not want a male pill as there will be fewer kids being born. That would not be good for an ageing population.

[scutty brown]

It is about peace of mind for eachother.
The woman would be still able to take her pill and he can take his pill.
They both can take their own gender spercific birth control pill.

The man should not rely on the woman and vice versa.

so you double the sales
and the profits
contraceptive prescriptions are free, so how is the NHS  going to fund it? there's nothing spare in the budget

[Blackpool Rock]

As posted this has been regularly talked about for god knows how long and i've previously seen feedback saying that most women wouldn't trust a man to take it regularly, also as pointed out it's the woman who has to carry the baby for 9 months and then do the majority of nose and bum wiping etc

Many of the posts are also coming at this from the POV of a stable relationship and not a casual or 1 night stand etc, so meet a guy in a pub or club and then let him spunk in you as he swears blind that he's on the pill, yeah right 

Oh and yes as mentioned I did know of a guy who got a girl pregnant who told him she was on the pill but stopped taking it to trap him 

[PepeMAGA]

External Link/Members Only

this will be great.

At the moment -
women's options are birth control pill, female condoms, female contraceptive implant and abortion.

Men's options are male condoms or 18 years of child maintenance 


it will be a good thing in the not to distant future to see the male birth control pill to come around 

First option sounds like a bad idea, second option is just reinventing the wheel to get a patent. If you go on testosterone with nothing to maintain natural production you're basically sterile anyway.

[puntingking]

As posted this has been regularly talked about for god knows how long and i've previously seen feedback saying that most women wouldn't trust a man to take it regularly, also as pointed out it's the woman who has to carry the baby for 9 months and then do the majority of nose and bum wiping etc

Many of the posts are also coming at this from the POV of a stable relationship and not a casual or 1 night stand etc, so meet a guy in a pub or club and then let him spunk in you as he swears blind that he's on the pill, yeah right 

Oh and yes as mentioned I did know of a guy who got a girl pregnant who told him she was on the pill but stopped taking it to trap him

People are missing the point. Just because the male pill will be here does not mean the woman dont have to take their pill.

At this moment in time, the man looses out as the woman (this does happen lots of times) says she will take the morning after pill then make out she forgets because secretly she wants to get pregnant where the man does not.

You could say to the man "put something on the end of it", yet he may trust the woman and take her for every word she says. Also, we all know that in civilian relationships it is more enjoyable having sex without a condom. so there is that I suppose.

If both genders are on the pill, Both genders remain safe from blame if one of them or none of them doesn't want a baby while still enjoy having sex with eachother without the use of a condom. is That simple 

[scutty brown]

and I'll repeat my question: who is going to pay for the duplication in prescriptions when both male and female take the pill?

[puntingking]

and I'll repeat my question: who is going to pay for the duplication in prescriptions when both male and female take the pill?

I suppose both pills should be paid for anyway. It is a choice to have sex unprotected so therefore if a woman or a man doesn't want a baby then they should pay for the pills. 

[scutty brown]

I suppose both pills should be paid for anyway. It is a choice to have sex unprotected so therefore if a woman or a man doesn't want a baby then they should pay for the pills. 

but at the moment contraceptive pills are free
If charges were made for the male pill you're opening up a problem of sexual discrimination
If the male pill was free you'd be massively increasing the bill to the NHS

[RandomGuy99]

but could a woman rely on a man to take it properly for it to be effective?

[MissWolf]

but could a woman rely on a man to take it properly for it to be effective?

But could a man rely on a woman to take it properly for it to be effective?

What makes men less trustworthy than women if we are talking contraception in its purest sense?

The only difference in the female pill is that it is used for other reasons as well as contraception,  we also have other options such as an implant and injections etc

[RandomGuy99]

But could a man rely on a woman to take it properly for it to be effective?

What makes men less trustworthy than women if we are talking contraception in its purest sense?

The only difference in the female pill is that it is used for other reasons as well as contraception,  we also have other options such as an implant and injections etc

Because we're generally a bit shit at remembering to do stuff or just doing stuff. A woman has more skin in the game when it comes to getting pregnant.

[puntingking]

Because we're generally a bit shit at remembering to do stuff or just doing stuff. A woman has more skin in the game when it comes to getting pregnant.

speak for yourself.

A man has more risk if he does not protect himself. A woman can make a choice to have a abortion.
A Man has one choice which is to make sure he doesn't get the woman pregnant otherwise he will be facing 18 years of child maintenance.

[RandomGuy99]

speak for yourself.

A man has more risk if he does not protect himself. A woman can make a choice to have a abortion.
A Man has one choice which is to make sure he doesn't get the woman pregnant otherwise he will be facing 18 years of child maintenance.

Sadly some just leg it and run away from their responsibilities

[hairdownthere]

speak for yourself.

A man has more risk if he does not protect himself. A woman can make a choice to have a abortion.
A Man has one choice which is to make sure he doesn't get the woman pregnant otherwise he will be facing 18 years of child maintenance.

Both parties share the same risk

[puntingking]

Sadly some just leg it and run away from their responsibilities

so you agree that men can be held responsible for taking the male pill?
Or do you think it is a womans job to only be held responsble for getting pregnant?

If both genders can take their own gendered specific pill to prevent a baby then isn't that best? 

[puntingking]

Both parties share the same risk

Lets look at the risk -

If a woman becomes pregnant

For a man:
18 years of child support
could lose his house if the relationship or marriage doesn't last.
Once a woman is pregnant, the man can't opt out of parenting as the woman can.
condoms can break and still can lead to a pregnancy.
less options to prevent a baby such as for the woman she has the pill, the coil and others.

For a woman:
no risk at all as she can choose many alternative options rather than a condom. Other options are also more effective than the male condoms.


females can have abortion and can claim 18 years of child support. Massively more risk for the men which is why a male pill is much needed.
Also, the female pill doesn't work as well when the female is taking antibiotics which is another reason why the male pill is needed so that the couple doesn't have to put of sex because she is taking antibiotics.

[RandomGuy99]

so you agree that men can be held responsible for taking the male pill?
Or do you think it is a womans job to only be held responsble for getting pregnant?

If both genders can take their own gendered specific pill to prevent a baby then isn't that best? 

Men should be able to be held responsible for tsking the mall pill, but I know that I probably forget some days or take it at the wrong time.

It's not a woman's job, but if I was a woman I wouldn't be relying on a man to ensure that I didn't become pregnant.

[puntingking]

Men should be able to be held responsible for tsking the mall pill, but I know that I probably forget some days or take it at the wrong time.

It's not a woman's job, but if I was a woman I wouldn't be relying on a man to ensure that I didn't become pregnant.

I am a man and I would not be relying on a woman to ensure that my life is ruined for 18 years 

Taking ownership of one's own decisions and autonomy is important.

[j4247]

After seeing what the pill did to 2 ex gf's of mine, there's not a cat in hells chance I'll be putting that sort of thing inside me.

[puntingking]

After seeing what the pill did to 2 ex gf's of mine, there's not a cat in hells chance I'll be putting that sort of thing inside me.

then don't but I would.

[hairdownthere]

Lets look at the risk -

If a woman becomes pregnant

For a man:
18 years of child support
could lose his house if the relationship or marriage doesn't last.
Once a woman is pregnant, the man can't opt out of parenting as the woman can.
condoms can break and still can lead to a pregnancy.
less options to prevent a baby such as for the woman she has the pill, the coil and others.

For a woman:
no risk at all as she can choose many alternative options rather than a condom. Other options are also more effective than the male condoms.


females can have abortion and can claim 18 years of child support. Massively more risk for the men which is why a male pill is much needed.
Also, the female pill doesn't work as well when the female is taking antibiotics which is another reason why the male pill is needed so that the couple doesn't have to put of sex because she is taking antibiotics.

How about a woman's life is ruined because she cant bring herself to have an abortion/give the child up for adoption.  How about a woman is skint for 18 years+ because she doesn't want to rely solely on the state and/or the father of the child.  What if the father isn't working, or doesn't earn enough to provide her with child support?  What if the father disappears?

And if a woman is on anti-biotics, maybe she just doesn't feel like having sex, male pill or not, because she is ill.

It's up to both parties to ensure they have the maximum amount of protection if they don't want a pregnancy.

There is another alterative for the man - a vasectomy.  Not 100% effective, but nothing else is.

[RandomGuy99]

I am a man and I would not be relying on a woman to ensure that my life is ruined for 18 years 

Taking ownership of one's own decisions and autonomy is important.

but I can use a condom as and when I need to. I don't need to be remembering to take a pill.

[puntingking]

How about a woman's life is ruined because she cant bring herself to have an abortion/give the child up for adoption.  How about a woman is skint for 18 years+ because she doesn't want to rely solely on the state and/or the father of the child.  What if the father isn't working, or doesn't earn enough to provide her with child support?  What if the father disappears?

And if a woman is on anti-biotics, maybe she just doesn't feel like having sex, male pill or not, because she is ill.

It's up to both parties to ensure they have the maximum amount of protection if they don't want a pregnancy.

There is another alterative for the man - a vasectomy.  Not 100% effective, but nothing else is.

atleast she have them two options such as abortion or give her child up for adoption. Men don't have that luxury to have so many options.

[puntingking]

but I can use a condom as and when I need to. I don't need to be remembering to take a pill.

then don't. But i would like to take the male pill 

[hairdownthere]

atleast she have them two options such as abortion or give her child up for adoption. Men don't have that luxury to have so many options.

A man can get a vasectomy, or walk away without a thought and disappear, leaving the woman facing a life changing and most probably traumatic choice whatever she decides to do.

[PepeMAGA]

How about a woman's life is ruined because she cant bring herself to have an abortion/give the child up for adoption.  How about a woman is skint for 18 years+ because she doesn't want to rely solely on the state and/or the father of the child.  What if the father isn't working, or doesn't earn enough to provide her with child support?  What if the father disappears?

And if a woman is on anti-biotics, maybe she just doesn't feel like having sex, male pill or not, because she is ill.

It's up to both parties to ensure they have the maximum amount of protection if they don't want a pregnancy.

There is another alterative for the man - a vasectomy.  Not 100% effective, but nothing else is.

Interestingly, 70% of unwanted pregnancies are due to not using any contraceptive at all ( in the UK, 90% worldwide)
If child support from the state and absent fathers was removed, would that change?

[puntingking]

A man can get a vasectomy, or walk away without a thought and disappear, leaving the woman facing a life changing and most probably traumatic choice whatever she decides to do.

For one, a vasectomy is permenent. Saying to a guy get a vasectomy to stop the woman you sleeping with falling pregnant is like saying to a womam because you want a baby with this one guy then you should have a baby every nine months with a different guy 

By law, a man cant just walk away. He would have to pay child support for 18 years.

If a woman is facing this life changing decision which it is more life changing to a guy as he cant alter the fact that the woman is pregnant. A woman can.

A man dont have the luxury of a pill, a coil and only has condom. Even though a condom can break and takes the fun out of the sex when having sex with a civillian and not a sex worker.

[puntingking]

Interestingly, 70% of unwanted pregnancies are due to not using any contraceptive at all ( in the UK, 90% worldwide)
If child support from the state and absent fathers was removed, would that change?

If that did change. You would find most woman being more cautious who they sleep with.

[DastardlyDick]

I doubt it. How can a woman be sure that he has taken it ? It will be ultimately up to her to look after herself as regards birth control, as has always been the case. A condom would give her more peace of mind than a male pill that he may or may not have taken

That's no different to the situation men find themselves in if they don't want children. Even the female pill isn't 100% effective, neither is a condom, although they have the additional benefit of preventing STIs.
If men want to take a pill that allows them to reduce the chance of producing children they don't want, then they should be allowed to do so.

[DastardlyDick]

but I can use a condom as and when I need to. I don't need to be remembering to take a pill.

Then use a condom - nobody is, or can, force you to take a pill, but it gives men another option.

[Doc Holliday]

If (and it is till a big if) this becomes reality then the there are really positive advantages for those couples who are in monogamous relationships. Being a punting forum there is a tendency to concentrate on casual sex scenarios and where condom use is more prevalent.

In such relationships where both partners are in agreement about not wanting children at a specific time in their lives, but do not want this to be permanent, then any single contraception method falls short of 100% reliability.  Currently if two methods are combined eg female contraceptive pill + condom then you get vastly closer to 100%. The chances of both methods failing at the same time are almost zero.

However nobody really wants to use condoms in monogamous relationships (or indeed in most relationships) so by having a male alternative you can still achieve that high effective rate.

Had this been available 20 years ago, the personal circumstances of my relationship at that time, meant it would have been of great benefit to us.

[KatieEdinburgh]

For one, a vasectomy is permenent. Saying to a guy get a vasectomy to stop the woman you sleeping with falling pregnant is like saying to a womam because you want a baby with this one guy then you should have a baby every nine months with a different guy 

Vasectomies are in fact reversible… I would seriously think about that option first before the male contraceptive pill as the side effects will likely be more than vasectomies will have.

This just based on the side effects of female pill - weight gain, mood changes, liver problems, increase risk of breast cancers etc. which taking hormones can cause. Vasectomies seem the easier route (but would only suit long term relationships not one night stands).

[Doc Holliday]

Vasectomies are in fact reversible… I would seriously think about that option first before the male contraceptive pill as the side effects will likely be more than vasectomies will have.

They are intended to be permanent. Saying they are easily reversible is a gross oversimplification of a complex discussion. The main side effect of vasectomy is permanent infertility whether reversal is carried out or not. This would not apply to a male contraceptive pill. Any other side effects are likely to be less in comparison to the considerable number that apply to the 'hormonal' female version or it will never be approved for use.

[PepeMAGA]

They are intended to be permanent. Saying they are easily reversible is a gross oversimplification of a complex discussion. The main side effect of vasectomy is permanent infertility whether reversal is carried out or not. This would not apply to a male contraceptive pill. Any other side effects are likely to be less in comparison to the considerable number that apply to the 'hormonal' female version or it will never be approved for use.

I've also read about a link with a particular type of dementia?

[Watts.E.Dunn]

As Katie mentions the mood swings, can only imagine two sets of mood swings perhas they just cancel each other out! Some hope!...

[Doc Holliday]

As Katie mentions the mood swings, can only imagine two sets of mood swings perhas they just cancel each other out! Some hope!...

The main research mentioned in the article relates to a non hormonal therapy so not applicable.

"The drug, YCT-529, is being development by YourChoice and Quotient Sciences, and works by interfering with vitamin A signalling, which is necessary for sperm production"

It also mentions other hormonal based treatments. Assuming the latter eventually gets through thorough safety testing (doubtful?) I would say it was unlikely to be readily accepted by men.

"How does it work?"

"It lowers your testosterone"

"No thanks" 

[Doc Holliday]

I've also read about a link with a particular type of dementia?

I assume you mean the female pill? Studies are I think, all a little unclear and relate to a specific memory function. Probably not especially relevant to the overall dementia picture?

[Watts.E.Dunn]

FWIW two of my long term rlationships had coils fitted they did work very well with no mood swings apart from a bit of PMT from time to time.

Last one the woman who fitted that cut the threads with points on!, not nice if you wack that hard!...

They aren't suitable for all espicaly if your nulliparous.. Or havent had childern tho i think there are some exceptions IIRC...

[PepeMAGA]

I assume you mean the female pill? Studies are I think, all a little unclear and relate to a specific memory function. Probably not especially relevant to the overall dementia picture?

No I meant vasectomies.
There's a bit about it here
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[Doc Holliday]

No I meant vasectomies.
There's a bit about it here
External Link/Members Only

Interesting thanks. Was not aware of that study from 2006. Had a quick further look into it and there seems to have been very little follow up studies since?

However this analysis of the 2006 study in 2012 does cast some doubt on its methodology? External Link/Members Only

Ultimately you cannot mess with the body either surgically or chemically and expect there to be zero negative consequences. Vasectomy is no exception and adverse outcomes are discussed here.  External Link/Members Only

Vasectomies are very common but the form of dementia under discussion is extremely rare, so as it mentions in the analysis, establishing any kind of link is problematic. Thanks again 

[Thephoenix]

Back in the days when the only birth control allowed by the Catholic church was the 'rhythm method' my super fertile ex convent wife kept inexplicably producing offsprings.
What a palaver.
As a result my dearest decided enough was enough and decided to 'have her tubes cut'
I accompanied her to the doctors to give her moral support (and make sure she didn't change her mind)

Out of the blue, the doctor turned to me and suggested I have a vasectomy instead, as it has less risks and is easy to perform.
I felt put on the spot, and it was hard for me to refuse.
A few days later I was lying in his surgery being operated on with a crowd of medical students looking on in awe.

That was over 50 years ago.
It wasn't as common then.
You could even buy a 'Vasectomy Tie', which I assume was worn to impress the ladies on a lads night out.

I have wondered over the years whether those little sperm blighters have invaded various part of my body and particularly affected my arteries or caused any auto immune issues.

I believe I've still got my vasectomy ties somewhere in the wardrobe but I guess they've gone out of fashion.




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