The Male Contraceptive Pill: a Good Idea or Not?
Created | Updated Nov 28, 2008
The male contraceptive pill has been under trial in Edinburgh since 1999, and is due to go on the market in 2005.
Here's how it works; a daily pill contains a dosage of the hormone desogestrel, which completely wipes out the man's sperm count. The pill also lowers his testosterone levels, so hormone supplements have to be taken. In the trial this was done with an under-the-skin implant, but the implant will soon be replaced by a simple monthly injection. The result is that the bloke's masculinity stays intact - he just ends up shooting blanks!
But is this a good idea?
Would you be willing to take the pill, or for your partner to take it?
Will having this kind of birth control be empowering for men?
Is it only fair that men now take the pill since, as far as the sexes are concerned, it does seem to make things more equal?
Can men actually be trusted to take it?
What do you think?
