denise_xo Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 Women, what do you think, would you still expect condom use in addition to the male pill? general thoughts? Stop using female pills and alternate? Use both together? For both, do you think this will be a good thing or a bad thing in society? Will it help or harm gender relations? Would you want your partners to wait and see before using them or be one of the early users? I think it's been over due for a long time, and I think it's great if it finally hits the market. I personally don't use pills and have always relied on condoms as my main method of BC, coupled with the morning after pill in the extremely rare case of the condom breaking. In the context of marriage/ long term relationship I'd be perfectly fine leaving contraception to the man IF the pill had reached the same level of security as female BC pills, and the man could be trusted to take his pill on time (or at least inform me if he hadn't). I wouldn't want my partner to take it until it had been significantly tried and tested for side effects. In general, I think increased control and choice in relation to the reproductive process for both genders is a positive thing, especially for men.
Metis Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 I am not aware of any women's organization speaking out against the male birth control pill. If anything, women's groups have been arguing for decades that men should take a greater share of responsibility in preventing unwanted pregnancy, instead of just treating pregnancy prevention as a "woman's problem". I have seen feminists say that each party should take appropriate precautions -- meaning that women would still have to use their own birth control, regardless of whether or not their partners are taking birth control pills -- but it would be really dumb to characterize that as feminists being against the male birth control pill. I do remember reading about a manufacturer's survey a few years ago -- sorry, I don't have the link at this point, so feel free to disbelieve me -- that revealed that while there was a lot of enthusiasm among male subjects for the pill in general, most responded that they would not take the pill once they got the details of what being on the pill actually entails: having to get a prescription; having to take the pill every day, around the same time, without fail; slightly increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer; having to quit smoking; and having to wait about three months after getting off the pill until fertility is fully restored. You know, all the issues that women who take birth control pills have to deal with. My understanding is that ultimately, pills for men already exist, but are not mass-produced, simply because pharmaceutical companies who hold those formulas feel there isn't enough of a demand. The reasons why there is no such demand are the real problem that needs to be addressed.
eatNrM Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 Yeah I know. All you've had to worry about are rubbers. Big deal. And most of you hate wearing them. It's time to step up boys!!! The sex rate in America is about to sky rocket when this hits the market. Be warned, ladies.
Emilia Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 Goes both ways obviously. Add to that you have the chance to get an abortion if you get pregnant because he forgot his pill, your boyfriend can't force you to get an abortion if you forget yours but he still has to pay for the kid his entire life. He can always use a condom
Ross MwcFan Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 It depends on how reliable they are, if they are really reliable, and as long as there had been enough tests to prove they're safe, then I'd totally start using them and not use condoms, as long as the woman who I was going to **** doesn't have STD's.
ShannonMI Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 The sex rate in America is about to sky rocket when this hits the market. Be warned, ladies. Sweet!!! I'm ready:p
Metis Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 Jynxx: The "opportunity" to get an abortion in the event of an unintended pregnancy is sort of like an "opportunity" to get chemo in the event of cancer.
eatNrM Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 Sweet!!! I'm ready:p Oh, goodness that's going to feel great too. Hm, I think I can get behind this after all.
ShannonMI Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 Oh, goodness that's going to feel great too. Hm, I think I can get behind this after all. I think most men should be behind it. It's been the woman's responsibility for far too long. It's their turn now.
Nexus One Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 I think most men should be behind it. It's been the woman's responsibility for far too long. It's their turn now. As there is a failure rate in regards to birth control pills for women, I think it's the responsibility of both men and women. If you combine multiple anti-conception methods, then that decreases the chance of an unwanted pregnancy.
ShannonMI Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 As there is a failure rate in regards to birth control pills for women, I think it's the responsibility of both men and women. If you combine multiple anti-conception methods, then that decreases the chance of an unwanted pregnancy. Ok but what form of birth control are men in charge of? Condoms and condoms only. Most men hate them and want their women to deal with the birth control. I think it's more then fair for the men to step up and be in charge now.
Queen Zenobia Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 My understanding is that ultimately, pills for men already exist, but are not mass-produced, simply because pharmaceutical companies who hold those formulas feel there isn't enough of a demand. The reasons why there is no such demand are the real problem that needs to be addressed. IP reform would do wonders for the market. The holders of these formulas wouldn't have a monopoly on it, so competitors could use those formulas as a starting point to develop their own safer formulas, for both men and women. True, you could try to convince men that the risks of male birth control are just as bad as the risks for female BC. But, developing newer and better technologies for BC is probably going to ultimately win out.
Nexus One Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 Ok but what form of birth control are men in charge of? Condoms and condoms only. Most men hate them and want their women to deal with the birth control. I think it's more then fair for the men to step up and be in charge now. What I meant was that in the future both women and men can take the pill. Decreasing the overall failure rate.
ShannonMI Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 What I meant was that in the future both women and men can take the pill. Decreasing the overall failure rate. Yes that would be good.
Metis Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 True, you could try to convince men that the risks of male birth control are just as bad as the risks for female BC. But, developing newer and better technologies for BC is probably going to ultimately win out. I do believe in the imperative of developing better and safer technologies for BC. My point, however, wasn't that men should be convinced that the risks of a male birth control pill are just as bad as those of the female version -- rather than, that men should be convinced that they too, have a responsibility for preventing pregnancy; and that meeting that responsibility requires assuming certain -- small -- risks that have already been deemed acceptable for women, while scientists are working on further reducing them.
oaks Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 Ok but what form of birth control are men in charge of? Condoms and condoms only. Most men hate them and want their women to deal with the birth control. I think it's more then fair for the men to step up and be in charge now. Well, guys can have the snip, too, although it's fairly drastic (and not guaranteed to be reversible, although they can at least attempt it). I know I sometimes read (in here, for example) that most men hate condoms. Just slap the 'most men' when they say this. It's silly. Really.
ShannonMI Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 Well, guys can have the snip, too, although it's fairly drastic (and not guaranteed to be reversible, although they can at least attempt it). I know I sometimes read (in here, for example) that most men hate condoms. Just slap the 'most men' when they say this. It's silly. Really. Condoms do suck. There is no question about that. I hate them too, but they are a must if I'm not on any other form of birth control. And how often do men get snipped? Usually the woman has to do that too:rolleyes:
Metis Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 And how often do men get snipped? Usually the woman has to do that too:rolleyes: There is a bit of a difference there. Vasectomy is a medically uncomplicated procedure, which is performed on an out-patient basis and involves a very short recovery time. It's female equivalent, however, tubal ligation, is a major surgery that has to be performed under general anesthesia. The latter therefore involves a far greater risk of infections, adverse intraoperative events, and anesthesia-related complications, as well as a longer recovery time.
ShannonMI Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 There is a bit of a difference there. Vasectomy is a medically uncomplicated procedure, which is performed on an out-patient basis and involves a very short recovery time. It's female equivalent, however, tubal ligation, is a major surgery that has to be performed under general anesthesia. The latter therefore involves a far greater risk of infections, adverse intraoperative events, and anesthesia-related complications, as well as a longer recovery time. Women usually have a tubal ligation performed right after giving birth to their last child. Often before they even come home from the hospital. My mom did after she had my brother. Literally the next day she had the operation. Yes there are greater risks for women having to undergo such an operation, so boys you should gladly get snipped!! Us women have to do enough, don't we?
Nexus One Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 Women usually have a tubal ligation performed right after giving birth to their last child. Often before they even come home from the hospital. My mom did after she had my brother. Literally the next day she had the operation. Yes there are greater risks for women having to undergo such an operation, so boys you should gladly get snipped!! Us women have to do enough, don't we? The major downside for men is that they're no longer able to ejaculate after such an operation, which I think takes away a significant part of climaxing. Personally I don't think I'd ever want to do that, I'd rather use condoms or wait for that male contraception pill, neither would I demand something like that from an SO.
Metis Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 Women usually have a tubal ligation performed right after giving birth to their last child. Often before they even come home from the hospital. My mom did after she had my brother. Literally the next day she had the operation.It is still an additional surgery. Although already being in the hospital makes it convenient, in a logistical sense, it doesn't cancel out the additional risk of complications that a tubal ligation entails. (I work on the periphery of the hospital field. Believe me: you don't want to go under general anesthesia and have a major surgery done unless you absolutely, positively have to. A man feeling icky at the prospect of a vasectomy isn't a good enough reason, in my opinion.) Yes there are greater risks for women having to undergo such an operation, so boys you should gladly get snipped!! Us women have to do enough, don't we?I don't think there should be this presumption, which currently still exists, that birth control should be a greater responsibility for women than for men; and that birth control arrangements should be done in such a way so as to further men's convenience at the expense of greater risks to women's health. I don't think it's right to talk about tubal ligation as if it's no big deal while gasping in horror at "boys" having to get snipped as some kind of terrible and unfair imposition. Men's bodies aren't any more precious than ours. Beyond that, it's up to each couple to decide how to work it. If it's a married couple and they don't want any children -- I'd say a vasectomy is an option that involves the least risk, and, health-wise, certainly superior to pills, injections or a tubal ligation.
Metis Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 The major downside for men is that they're no longer able to ejaculate after such an operation, which I think takes away a significant part of climaxing. That's not true at all, Nexus One, you've been misinformed. Men who have had a vasectomy still ejaculate. Sperm makes up only about 5% of semen, you know.
ShannonMI Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 The major downside for men is that they're no longer able to ejaculate after such an operation, which I think takes away a significant part of climaxing. Personally I don't think I'd ever want to do that, I'd rather use condoms or wait for that male contraception pill, neither would I demand something like that from an SO. I've never heard of that. I don't think this is true, Nexus or NO man would get a vasectomy.
GorillaTheater Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 That's not true at all, Nexus One, you've been misinformed. Men who have had a vasectomy still ejaculate. Sperm makes up only about 5% of semen, you know. And said ejaculations are all the more pleasurable knowing that the risk of unintended consequences are way low. And the procedure itself is nothing, discomfort-wise. Compared, at least, to a reversal.
Nexus One Posted November 7, 2011 Posted November 7, 2011 I've never heard of that. I don't think this is true, Nexus or NO man would get a vasectomy. You're right, I was confused with another type of procedure procedure.
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