Male Birth Control Pill [Archive]

MudGrrl

03-03-2006, 10:37 AM

Male Birth Control Hormones (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060224/hl_afp/afplifestylehealth_060224153518)

Drug companies won't make a male birth control pill because men won't take it, according to the original engineer of the female birth control pill. Carl Djerassi says we could make a male pill today based on the same hormonal logic that guided development of the female pill. But he says no company is interested because men won't take such a pill, because there might be a slight risk of impotence, and men care more about preserving their virility even in old age than about sparing their partner an unintended pregnancy.

....................

The National Institutes of Health is funding development of a male contraceptive. The researcher who's getting the grant has achieved a 92 percent success rate and is aiming for 100. His method is a compound that blocks the sperm's chemical ability to penetrate the egg.

Men may soon have the options of a daily pill to be taken orally, a patch or gel to be applied to the skin, an injection given every three months or an implant placed under the skin every 12 months, according to Seattle researchers.

"I would rather rely on a solution that doesn't involve medicating myself and the problems women have had with hormone therapy doens't make me anxious to want to sign on to taking hormone-type therapy" (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3543478/)

“It is time for men to have some control. I think it would empower men and deter some women out there from their nefarious plans,” says Brown. “Some women are out there to use men to get pregnant. This could deter women from doing this.

But will men take it? Some say yes, some say only if their partners make them, and other say they would never even consider it.

..........

would you guys take it?

valve bouncer

03-03-2006, 10:41 AM

Yes, as long as it doesn't make me grow bitch tits.

Transcend

03-03-2006, 10:46 AM

because there might be a slight risk of impotence,

Interesting, does the female version have the same type of side effects? Inability to perform type things?

Also, taking it would largely depend on how common the effects were I'd imagine.

peter6061

03-03-2006, 10:50 AM

I can't imagine men taking it unless it had some other alternate benefit. Many women use the pill to 'regulate' their period. Mine doesn't need regulation.

Now, a presex birth control pill that just needed to be taken minutes or hours before intercourse could see some light IMO.

fluff

03-03-2006, 10:51 AM

Nah, I can't believe that they can make anything strong enough to stop my evil seed...

Oh, and the vasectomy makes it rather unnecessary...

BikeGeek

03-03-2006, 10:57 AM

I can't even remember to take my vitamin everyday and I've been trying to get into that routine for 2 years now.

H8R

03-03-2006, 11:00 AM

I can't even remember to take my vitamin everyday and I've been trying to get into that routine for 2 years now.

No kidding. I make a bottle of 30 vitamins last 3 months.

The risk of impotency would make me forget everyday, without fail.

fluff

03-03-2006, 11:01 AM

I can't even remember to take my vitamin everyday and I've been trying to get into that routine for 2 years now.
Which reminds me that I've yet to meet a woman who'd trust a man to take charge of contraception. He's not the one who's gonna get pregnant after all.

fluff

03-03-2006, 11:01 AM

No kidding. I make a bottle of 30 vitamins last 3 months.

The risk of impotency would make me forget everyday, without fail.
Nice avatar.

Tenchiro

03-03-2006, 11:03 AM

I was hoping they finally came out with the day after pill for men, that changes your blood type. :devil:

jdschall

03-03-2006, 11:18 AM

What woman in her right mind would trust a man to take his pill everyday?

jimmydean

03-03-2006, 11:22 AM

Unless it was like Viagra where you could take it like an hour before, they could just include it with a condom and call it a 2-fer pack.

But then guys would leave them in a wallet for like a month and the pill would be crushed to powder... Nevermind.

BurlyShirley

03-03-2006, 11:24 AM

What woman in her right mind would trust a man to take his pill everyday?
Same woman that says, "I'll have a pabst, please"

ohio

03-03-2006, 11:32 AM

**** yeah, I would take it. Are you kidding? It would be the second greatest thing ever.

I would still prefer my special lady friend was also on the pill. It's a good thing to have redundancy is a good thing.

ohio

03-03-2006, 11:34 AM

Another thought. Women have to take it every day because they're on a 30 day cycle, and if they skip it, the body can't wait to release an egg. Guys are on a 24 to 48 hour cycle if I remember right, so really you just need to remember to start taking it on Wednesday if you hope to get some action on Friday night. Just a hypothesis...

BurlyShirley

03-03-2006, 11:35 AM

ohio

03-03-2006, 11:36 AM

Same woman that says, "I'll have a pabst, please"
I was thinking the same women that trusts a man to:
-pull out
-call her the next day
-not do her best friend

BurlyShirley

03-03-2006, 11:37 AM

I was thinking the same women that trusts a man to:
-pull out
-call her the next day
-not do her best friend

That's the best line ever "Just make sure to pull out"

...uh....ok:rofl:

Or, "can you get me a towl?"

ohio

03-03-2006, 11:38 AM

yeah, it would be like 196% effective.
Pill is like 97% effective. That's the scariest 3% I can imagine. It's like my own personal nuclear war.

Also, I once had a girlfriend who despite being on the pill insisted on the pull-out method because of that 3%. If I could've lopped another 97% off that 3% it would have both make the sex better and saved me a lot of laundry.

Zark

03-03-2006, 11:57 AM

Put the contraceptive in beer and I'd remember to take it ;)

because there might be a slight risk of impotence,
Kinda hard to knock someone up with a limpy

MudGrrl

03-03-2006, 12:36 PM

Old Man G Funk

03-03-2006, 12:38 PM

well, this has been educational.

I kinda expected the majority of you guys to say yes.

If the contraception was in shot form (say you get a shot that lasts 3 months), would you do it? The only thing you have to remember is to show up at the Dr. once a quarter................
If it didn't make me impotent (which would defeat the purpose) I would take it in any form.

H8R

03-03-2006, 12:53 PM

Nice avatar.

I hate yours. Evil panda bears are a big problem where we live. They get into our trash and make nests in the basement.

MudGrrl

03-03-2006, 12:56 PM

Considering all the side effects that women face, it's a wonder we take this stuff......

my favorite parts are the decreased sex drive, heart attacks, osteoporosis, and depression....
:)

Depo Provera (http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/bcdepo.htm) aka 'the shot'
"Other side effects of Depo Provera can include headaches, nervousness, mood changes, bloating, hot flashes, decreased interest in sex, breast tenderness, acne, hair loss, and back ache. '
Causes loss of bone density and risk of osteoporosis.

The Pill (http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/thepill.htm)
Irregular bleeding or spotting
Nausea
Breast tenderness
Weight gain and/or water retention
Spotty darkening of the skin
Mood changes

Implanon (http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/medicalinfo/birthcontrol/pub-contraception-choices-2.xml)
irregular bleeding patterns
headache
nausea
dizziness
sore breasts
must receive injection every three months
loss of monthly period, change of appetite, weight gain, depression, hair loss, or increased hair on the face or body, nervousness, skin rash or spotty darkening of the skin, change in sex drive
causes temporary bone thinning — talk with your clinician about the risks

The Ring (http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/medicalinfo/birthcontrol/pub-contraception-choices-4.xml#_2)
increased vaginal discharge.
vaginal irritation or infection.
rare but serious health risks, including blood clots, heart attack, and stroke — women who are 35 and older and smoke are at a greater risk.
other side effects include change in sex drive and temporary irregular bleeding, weight gain or loss, breast tenderness, nausea — rarely, vomiting, changes in mood, and other discomforts

The Patch (http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/medicalinfo/birthcontrol/pub-contraception-choices-4.xml#_3)
skin reaction at the site of application.
menstrual cramps.
may not be as effective for women who weigh more than 198 pounds.
rare but serious health risks, including blood clots, heart attack, and stroke — women who are 35 and older and smoke are at a greater risk.
other side effects include change in sex drive and temporary irregular bleeding, weight gain or loss, breast tenderness, nausea — rarely, vomiting, changes in mood, and other discomforts

ohio

03-03-2006, 01:02 PM

Considering all the side effects that women face, it's a wonder we take this stuff......

I don't know what you're talking about... it clears acne and inflates boobs (making it that much more likely that I'll sleep with jailbait). Those are the greatest side effects I've ever heard of.

MudGrrl

03-03-2006, 01:04 PM

and inflates boobs

apparently, I am on the wrong meds.:redhot: :weee:

fluff

03-03-2006, 01:09 PM

I hate yours. Evil panda bears are a big problem where we live. They get into our trash and make nests in the basement.
I'll have words...

Ciaran

03-03-2006, 01:10 PM

Considering all the side effects that women face, it's a wonder we take this stuff......

My wife takes it of her own accord. No one forces her. If the side effects were that bad she'd stop.

That said, if the male BC was in pill form I wouldn't take it, but only because I would forget. If it was in shot form I would probably take it. Decisions like this must be discussed with the wife first.

fluff

03-03-2006, 01:12 PM

Decisions like this must be made by the wife first.
Fixed.:)

MudGrrl

03-03-2006, 01:22 PM

My wife takes it of her own accord. No one forces her. If the side effects were that bad she'd stop.

I am not trying to imply that we are forced to be on this stuff.
The majority of us weigh the risks both ways and decide that the minimal chance of heart attack (you'll notice it's generally for smokers over 35) is less stress than our perception of having children.

I think that women have basically been told... hey, YOU take control of your sexual health... don't expect anyone to do it for you.

It's not so much of a statement to be on birth control now vs. years ago... you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a woman who hasn't been on hormones/ IUD/ patch/ shot ...(unless you're in Amish country)

We have plenty of options.

You guys have what?

-condom
-vasectomy
- is there something I am missing????

That said, if the male BC was in pill form I wouldn't take it, but only because I would forget. If it was in shot form I would probably take it. Decisions like this must be discussed with the wife first.

:thumb:

binary visions

03-03-2006, 01:40 PM

I'd take it but I'd expect look carefully into the impotency thing first. Of course, one should look carefully into any medication, especially one that will be taken daily.

But hell yeah, the idea of both being able to take the pill and all-but-eliminating the chance of pregnancy - that sounds great to me. I could develop the habit of taking a pill every day.

peter6061

03-03-2006, 01:48 PM

ohio

03-03-2006, 01:57 PM

What benefit does a male taking a pill have?

Obviously, the whole pregnancy thing, but you're still going to be wearing condom for the whole STD thing, so all you're really doing is taking the chore of the pill away from the women and forcing yourself to have to remember to take a pill with potential side effects each day.

And women are probably still going to be on the pill anyway, so what's the point?
Again, the women's pill is only about 97% effective (that is, 3 out of 100 women on the pill get pregnant while on the pill... not 3 out of 100 times they have sex, which would REALLY suck), which really isn't that great. Redundancy is a good thing in this case.

And some women have really bad hormonal reactions to the pill. If the male side effects aren't as severe, it would be nice to shift the responsibility. Why would you ever NOT want to have that option available to you?

Ciaran

03-03-2006, 02:00 PM

What benefit does a male taking a pill have?

Obviously, the whole pregnancy thing, but you're still going to be wearing condom for the whole STD thing, so all you're really doing is taking the chore of the pill away from the women and forcing yourself to have to remember to take a pill with potential side effects each day.

And women are probably still going to be on the pill anyway, so what's the point?
When you are in a committed relationship (like marriage) you don't have to use condoms. :love: That was a great day, the day we stopped using condoms.

For my own situation we would weight the pros and cons of me taking a BC pill versus her taking it. I think we would go with whichever has less side effects/negative effects on the body.

peter6061

03-03-2006, 02:17 PM

And I agree on the pregnancy aspect as noted above. But until I was married, I didn't care if she was on the pill or not, I'm throwing a sock on the pickle. Her 97% in addition to my 99.x% makes some pretty good odds of not getting pregnant or a disease.

STDs are far worse than unwanted pregnancy as far as I'm concerned.

I think the the opinions expressed here will vary depending on who is involved in the discussion. People out there having random sex with others are going to feel entirely different than those of us in committed relationships.

SuboptimusPrime

03-03-2006, 02:22 PM

My understanding is that male hormone based therapies could impact things like erectile function since they would in some way antagonize the male sex horomones which are required for sperm development, thus leaving you with a bunch of wimpy sperm that can't really impregnate anyone. Given the important roles of testosterone in maintaining male secondary sexual characterists and even mental function, I would be hesitant to take that pill as well.

However, the pills coming down the pipeline now target metabolic and other functional enzymes that are found only in sperm rendering them immotile or incapable of penetrating the woman's egg. These are much better targets on the surface of things since they would not have hormonal or anti-hormonal effects. If something like that passed FDA approval, I'd be down.

d.e.f.

03-03-2006, 02:31 PM

You gotta really really really trust the girl before you pull the goalie. Male birth control sounds good and a johnny on the spot before the deed sounds even better. That could be 3 layers of anti-kid measures w/ the skanks.

sanjuro

03-03-2006, 02:55 PM

stupid. what about the men who get vasectomies? "hey i don't a pill that could affect my virility. just snip it down there..."

-dustin

03-03-2006, 03:04 PM

i'd take a pill or get a shot, assuming insurance covered it. which it probably wouldn't.

Ciaran

03-03-2006, 03:16 PM

stupid. what about the men who get vasectomies? "hey i don't a pill that could affect my virility. just snip it down there..."
I don't be puttin no sharp thangs near the junk. :nono:

MikeD

03-03-2006, 03:52 PM

Maybe that's why it'll control birth...you'll never get a hardon, even if you want one.

Just a theory.

My wife hasn't found a pill or anything that doesn't destroy her sex drive, either, which sucks. I know lots of women who don't suffer this effect, and a few who did get hugely inflated boobs, which was awesome... Too bad for me now, though. I'm married and still using condoms...grrrrr...I'm thinking of just getting snipped, and adopting if we ever want kids.

kidwoo

03-03-2006, 03:59 PM

My wife hasn't found a pill or anything that doesn't destroy her sex drive, either,

My girlfriend is the same way. I just punch her in the face and then cover her mouth with ether before she has a chance to get her bearings back. It's biological and you can't argue with science.

d.e.f.

03-03-2006, 04:05 PM

jimmydean

03-03-2006, 04:17 PM

stupid. what about the men who get vasectomies? "hey i don't a pill that could affect my virility. just snip it down there..."

That's what I did right after the birth of my daughter. So now I'm 100% sure I aint knocking anybody up unless there is miracle of some sort.

Ciaran

03-03-2006, 04:19 PM

Wow! I got lucky. Or rather, The Wife got lucky. No bad side effects, and her sex drive is as fantastic as ever. Shoot, she gets mad at me when I am too tired (or too drunk) to do it.

Mike D, I think you can have a vasectomy reversed if you need to. Maybe they can put in some sort of valve for ya. With a remote control! "click! click!... how's that honey?" "Nah... try another channel.. click, click, ahhhhhhhh!" :D

valve bouncer

03-03-2006, 09:29 PM

I don't be puttin no sharp thangs near the junk. :nono::stupid: Surgical steel will never meet my gonads.

Radarr

03-03-2006, 09:49 PM

If they could make them like Skittles, I'd eat a them every day. Maybe even two or three times a day.

Wait, what do they do? I just like eating all the green and yellow ones together.

boostindoubles

03-05-2006, 07:50 PM

first thing i thought of when i read male birth control pill was something to plug the hole. i can't imagine taking a birth control pill, i don't even like the fact that women take them. Knarly ass drugs with far reaching side effects... no thanks

blue

03-05-2006, 10:25 PM

I'd take it, simply because my girlfriend's hormones go crazygonuts on the pill/ring...

skatetokil

03-06-2006, 02:55 AM

We have plenty of options.

You guys have what?

-condom
-vasectomy
- is there something I am missing????
:thumb:

You're forgetting the very popular "lifestyle" method:
wear tightie whities
sit in a hot tub at least 2 hours per day
ride a bicycle often
smoke cigarettes and pot
drink too much

MudGrrl

03-06-2006, 06:23 AM

You're forgetting the very popular "lifestyle" method:
wear tightie whities
sit in a hot tub at least 2 hours per day
ride a bicycle often
smoke cigarettes and pot
drink too much

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

that's awesome

JRogers

03-06-2006, 10:08 AM

I suppose most dudes wouldn't, but I would consider using this pill if the risk of side effects was low. Lots of girls take the pill with the risk of a wide range of effects. My last girlfriend started taking it and, well, what used to last a few days lasted two weeks...she was pissed...A low-risk replacement for that might be a good idea. Plus, doubling up would be very effective. But I still have a feeling that many guys would not be very consistent in taking it.

03-06-2006, 02:56 PM

A wealthy hospital benefactor was being shown around the hospital when during her tour, she passed a room where a male patient was mas~turbating furiously.

"Oh my GOD!!" screamed the woman, "That's disgraceful! Why is he doing that?"

The doctor who was leading the tour calmly explained, "I'm very sorry that you were exposed to that, but this man has a serious condition where his testicles rapidly fill with se~men, and if he doesn't do that at least 5 times a day, he'll be in extreme pain and his testicles could easily rupture".

Oh well, in that case, I guess it's ok." commented the woman.

In the very next room, a male patient was lying in bed and it was obvious that a nurse was performing oral s~ex on him.

Again, the woman screamed, "Oh my GOD!! How can THAT be justified?"

Again the doctor spoke very calmly, "Same illness, better health plan."

Jr_Bullit

03-06-2006, 05:03 PM

In college, I knew a bunch of girls who had to deal with side affects relating to the pill - so they were on this messed up merry-go-round of experimenting with different versions of the pill to see which would cause the least issues - which of course made them more vulnerable to getting knocked up, as they weren't on anything consistent for any significant period of time.

Some girls do better on the pill than others - same reason they have to put the 97% effective, as some girls react very differently on the same drug.

Personally, I wouldn't want my man to take any performance de-enhancing drugs even if it meant we were that much less likely of getting pregnant. If he wants to help out - he can help pay for the pills (which he does).
Besides, as y'all have mentioned, the likelihood of the guy being consistent with taking them. It's very different as a girl (speaking for myself) to remember to take that one pill every morning as the consequences are a little more drastic physically than for a guy ;).

The Kadvang

03-06-2006, 10:23 PM

My girlfriend is the same way. I just punch her in the face and then cover her mouth with ether before she has a chance to get her bearings back. It's biological and you can't argue with science.

I ****ing love you. Marriage?

Reactor

03-09-2006, 09:15 PM

We have plenty of options.

You guys have what?

-condom
-vasectomy
- is there something I am missing????

:thumb:

A wife who wants two children and has only had one in spite of 15 years of trying.......

DaveW

03-09-2006, 10:36 PM

well, this has been educational.

I kinda expected the majority of you guys to say yes.

If the contraception was in shot form (say you get a shot that lasts 3 months), would you do it? The only thing you have to remember is to show up at the Dr. once a quarter................

I'd actually be quiet happy to take it in pill form.... But I hate injections, that would make me think twice about doing it.

MudGrrl

03-10-2006, 11:35 AM

I also hate shots.....

but I figure a lil shot in the @ss hurts a lot less than having a child.

it's also cheaper.

ohio

03-10-2006, 12:34 PM

but I figure a lil shot in the @ss hurts a lot less than having a child.

Not for a guy, unless listening to whining about morning sickness counts as "hurt."

That being said, I personally would much rather get a shot once a month than take a pill every day.

Ridemonkey

03-10-2006, 12:59 PM

It'd be nice to have another degree of protection from something like this, but a) I'd forget b) I don't like the idea of messing with my sperm before I have kids...after...maybe.

Changleen

03-10-2006, 05:33 PM

It'd be nice to have another degree of protection from something like this, but a) I'd forget b) I don't like the idea of messing with my sperm before I have kids...after...maybe.That pretty much sums it up.

laura

03-11-2006, 02:06 AM

I absolutely despise birth control. It makes me a ****ing maniac almost all the time, I am convinced that the last ten pounds i want to lose would come off immediately if I got off birth control. My sex drive is all over the place. My hormones go crazy and my pms is a wicked wicked torture for TN and I alike. But, I can't have kids and I hate condoms so for now I stay on birth control.

I would love it if TN could get on birth control, and i think if it came down to us having a kid or not, he might be able to remember a pill daily.

spincrazy

03-11-2006, 03:35 AM

Side effects. No thanks. I had a girlfriend who was on the Depo shots and she pretty much just went nuts. Complete personality change. No good.

gsweet

05-13-2006, 07:44 PM

i'd be more than willing to take it. frankly, responsibility should be shared if you're gonna be sharing bodily fluids! and i'd definitely like the option of being able to depend on myself for contraception. on a side note, i had a girlfriend at one point who was absolutely bipolar because of the pill: i'd fall asleep with her one night doing the whole cuddly romancy thing, and when we'd wake up she'd be a different person. i'd role over and put my arm around her and, she scream at me (i quote verbatum) "don't f*cking touch me!"