They say, “it takes two to tango,” but that isn’t exactly reflected in the number of birth control options available to men. The number of made-for-women contraceptives far outweighs the number of those designed for use by men. So, what birth control options do guys have to choose from? See the most commonly used methods below.
Condoms
For thousands of years, men have attempted to trap their sperm in protective sheaths made from linen, paper, rubber, animal skin, and the most common material these days: latex. During the 1980s when HIV became a public concern, condoms became more widely accepted and available to the average consumer. Today condoms are the most common form of birth control used by men, but even then, 40% of a leading brand’s condom buyers are women, according to Forbes Magazine. As a result, condoms are being increasingly marketed to women by manufacturers.
Though not as effective as intrauterine devices (IUDs) or oral contraceptives such as “the pill,” condoms are successful in preventing unwanted pregnancies about 82% of the time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because condoms are barrier methods, they also protect against the spreading of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) whereas oral contraceptives, other hormonal methods, and IUDs do not.
Many couples use a combination of methods to prevent unwanted pregnancy. The most common pairings are condoms with the pill or condoms with an intrauterine device, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
Withdrawal
Also known as coitus interruptus or the pullout method, withdrawal involves removing the penis from the vagina and away from female genitalia before ejaculation, the release of semen, occurs. While this contraceptive method is possibly one of the oldest techniques, it is not the most effective and is not recommended for teens, who may lack the self-control or awareness necessary for successful technique.
Sterilization
Male sterilization, or vasectomy, is the most effective method of male contraception aside from abstinence. Vasectomies are outpatient surgical procedures in which the tubes that carry sperm are cut or sealed to prevent the release of sperm in the semen. According to the Mayo Clinic, vasectomies are low-risk, permanent procedures that are 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. There are common misconceptions that vasectomies will damage sexual organs or impair masculinity or sex drive. In some cases, men have undergone additional surgical procedures to reverse their vasectomy.
Abstinence
Absolute refrain from sexual intercourse and other sexual activities is 100% effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy and the spread of STIs. But abstinence can be loosely defined to mean different things to different couples.
In cases which abstinence refers to the penetration of the vagina by the penis but allows for oral sex, anal sex, or other forms of sexual stimulation, then the risk of sharing STIs certainly still exists and barrier precautions, such as condom use, should be exercised. Regardless of vaginal penetration, in some cases, pregnancy may be possible when ejaculation occurs on or near the female genitalia. It is a good idea to discuss your definition of abstinence and intimacy limits ahead of time with your partner.
Oral Contraceptives
Currently, there is no birth control pill on the market for men. Research and design processes dedicated to the development of male oral contraceptives and hormonal injections continues to be explored.
