The Utah Statesman

Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Features

Media Credit: Patrick Oden There are more than a dozen birth control options for women versus two for men, condoms and vasectomies. Within five to ten years though, there may be a pill or hormonal shot available for men.

Boy likes girl. Girl likes boy. Girl goes on birth control.

Though contraceptive myths and options have been around for centuries, the majority of birth control and prevention methods are only readily available for women. There are currently more than a dozen choices of contraception for females, versus two for men - condoms and vasectomies - which has left family planning a little one-sided, according to "Male contraceptives on the horizon," a 2006 article by Bridget Kuehn.

"We can only wish there will be more options for men," said Karrie Galloway, CEO of Planned Parenthood. "I would certainly put in a vote. Many men do want to share the responsibility. But most research has shown that male birth control effects men hormonally like it does women and they are less likely to tolerate it."

However, good news is on the way. Kuehn's article, which printed in the Journal of the American Medical Association, states that scientists' results show that within the next five to 10 years, there may be several hormonal methods of contraception available for men. Eventually men may be able to get shots of testosterone to trick the brain and reduce sperm counts, or they may have a pill of their own. However, the idea of more options of male birth control gets mixed opinions.

Kuehn's article states that according to a 2002 survey of more than 9,000 men in nine countries, more than 55 percent of the men said they were willing to use a hormonal male contraceptive, although rates of acceptance varied by country from nearly 29 percent to about 71 percent. Between 50 and 83 percent of men said they already used contraceptives, and 55 to 82 percent said the both partners were involved when selecting the method of birth control.

Brandon Forster, senior in Spanish education, said he's not sure if he would want to take a pill or get hormonal injections.

"Everything inside me says no, but we'd have to look into it," said Forster, who got married in June. Since then, his wife has been on the pill. "I'm not going to say it's the woman's place, but I don't think men would be as good at remembering to take it."

Continued...

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