It ’s Not Just for Women, You Know: 5 Ways for Men to Get More Involved in Contraception

September 25, 2016When it comes to who ’s using contraception, we aren’t even close to 50-50. It ’s pretty clear that at a basic level, men are just as involved in the act ofconceptionas women are. But when it comes to who ’s usingcontraception, things aren ’t even close to 50-50.Women have upwards of 10 modern methods of contraception they can use. There are caps and rings, patches and sponges, diaphragms and female condoms and improved fertility awareness methods. Oral contraceptive pills that come in three categories, including an extended-cycle version. Injectable contraceptives that last for one, two, or three months. Hormonal implants good for up to five years. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) containing either copper or hormone, protective against unintended pregnancy for up to 12 years. There is emergency contraception if needed. And permanent methods (such as tubal ligation) are available for those who want to limit further childbearing.Many men have come to see family planning as “the woman’s job.”Yet even though most men are involved in making reproductive decisions, there are only two modern contraceptive methods for men: vasectomy and condoms.Vasectomy, though highly effective, is suitable only for men certain they want no more children, and it requires a minor surgical procedure. It is also largely unavailable in low- and middle-income income countries, whereits use is negligible. (In contrast, vasectomy is the most widely used single method in Canad...
Source: IntraHealth International - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Source Type: news