The Popularity of Birth Control for Men

I have recently viewed a news story covering a new male contraceptive pill. It is a revolutionary pill that stops the production of sperm into the blood stream. Men could either take one pill daily or have one a few hours before sexual intercourse. Sexual satisfaction is not affected by the pill. The male pill is more appealing because it is hormone-free, unlike the female contraceptive pill. The side effects if the female birth control pill include an increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots that can be fatal. The male pill could be on the market within five years.

The responsibility of contraception has been carried by women for decades. With a revolutionary male pill, couples can now share that responsibility. Before the introduction of the female birth control pill in the 1960s, it was the man's responsibility to buy condoms. Now that the role has been shifted to women in our society, many men will be less likely to use the male pill. If the pill hits the market in the next five years, it will be difficult to trust that men will take the pill. Even if they are willing, men usually lack women's motivation to prevent pregnancy. More than 18 million women take birth control pills. The female pill has become the most popular form of birth control in the country. The introduction of a male pill can be a very exciting improvement in forms of contraception.

It is unfair to women for men to refuse to take the male pill. Women have many responsibilities for carrying and giving birth to a child. However, they are not alone when conceiving a child. Men encourage sexual intercourse, but many refuse to take responsibility for contraception. It creates a burden on women to have to carry 100% of that responsibility. Men should participate in birth control just as much as women do.

With the introduction of a new and revolutionary male pill, there are no excuses. Men won't have to worry about side effects such as blood clots that have the potential to be fatal. These side effects are included in female birth control pills, which millions of women take today. If millions of women are taking responsibility for contraception while increasing their risk for heart attacks and possible death, there is no reason that men should refuse to be accountable for preventing pregnancy with the male pill.