Sunday, October 27, 2019

Sex is who's responsibility? Male contraceptives and sex as "women's work"

Ground breaking research is being done to create a male contraceptive pill and it's push into the market could be ground breaking as the article, "Are we ready for men to take the pill?," claims. However, the research for it's development has been put to an outstanding halt as a lack of interest leads to lack of funding that has all but killed it's production. 

Although female contraceptives have been in discovery and on the market for quite some time, there are arguments within the field of science against the development of a male contraceptive pill. The main argument is that the development of male contraceptives is more complicated than women's. Because the whole science behind a pill for men rests upon the idea of halting sperm production, researchers say that the levels of hormones needed to accomplish this would be too risky and lead to side effects. And despite side effects being present in other contraceptive methods, like those targeted for women, the reality is that pharmaceutical companies, regulators, and men themselves aren't accepting of potential side effects. Because common side effects such as weight gain, mood swings, and lowered sex drives are considered emasculating, the development of the pill has been socially rejected. Similarly, development of "clean pills" that lack these side effects and enable a semen-free orgasm have been rejected as ejaculation is seen as important to male sexuality. Other arguments ask women if they trust men with this type of contraceptive measure when it comes to casual sex.

Inside this question of whether men are ready to take the pill, I have found that a bigger discussion exist with the more intimidating question, who's responsibility is sex? Although the consequences of unprotected sex seem to be primary for a women who's main fear is pregnancy, the article argues that sex and contraceptive use really falls upon women and can be labeled as "women's work". And although we are coming upon an age where more men are sharing in home care and child responsibilities, there needs to be an extension of gender role remodeling when it comes to contraceptives. As a future physician and hopeful OB/GYN, I am saddened to know that research in this topic is diminishing because of a lack of interest. For me, this appears to be just another method in the practice of safe sex and hope to see it develop by the time I start treating patients. Sex is everyone's responsibility that chooses to have it and I believe that the development of a male contraceptive pill may set the stage for a social discussion that, many times, gets sweep under the rug. 



Are we ready for men to take the pill? Article: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-49879667

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