Male contraception: When will men finally take some responsibility?

By Eelinn Vanquaethem

The pill is the most efficient method of contraception. Credit: Adobe Stock/andreysafonov

The main method of contraception for 42 per cent of females is birth control pills. Most of these women have been told that they must take these around the same time every day.

This is easier said than done. I personally have an alarm on my phone as a reminder, but even then, I sometimes forget because I don't have my pill on me.

We are human after all. But when we do forget, there is the crippling anxiety: am I pregnant?

Looking at this from a male perspective, you need to trust your partner to take the pill or use an unreliable condom.

There has clearly been a need for men to take some of the responsibility, but despite several attempts, none seem to be good enough.

Scientists have, for example, tried to create a male contraceptive pill. However, the hormones are quickly metabolised.

A trial of an injection led by Richard Anderson, a professor of clinical reproductive science at the University of Edinburgh, concluded that there were "unacceptable side effects". These included depression, acne and increased libido.

Sound familiar?

Soon we may be relieved of the responsibility as the same professor that tested the jab, has asked eight couples from the UK to trial a male contraceptive gel.

However, this still leaves us with multiple questions: how often do put it on?; how much do you have to use?; what part of your body should you put it on?

In the end, if a man refuses to use it and a woman doesn't take the pill, the latter is still the one who will be pregnant. I'm not saying every man would walk away, but if he does, the woman knows it wasn't entirely her responsibility.