Male Involvement and Contraceptive Methods for Men : Present and Future

Abstract

In recent decades, the most common means by which couples regulate fertility have changed from methods requiring control or cooperation by men, e.g., condoms, withdrawal and periodic abstinence, to those for which women bear primary responsibility e.g., virtually all-reversible modern methods. This paper briefly describes
present use of male methods, and proposes that one cannot assess the potential acceptability of modern methods for men without fully engaging the male partner in Family Planning. Presumed obstacles to acceptability, such as incompatibility with culture, have elsewhere been overcome through attention to training, accessibility and IEC. Nevertheless, current male methods are not comparable to existing methods for women, and inherent drawbacks can be expected to limit acceptability of the condom and vasectomy to some extent. A synopsis of efficacy clinical trial of a prototype hormonal method for men. Quotes from interviews with participants in the trial are used to illustrate key points in the argument made for the development of new reversible methods for men that will offer comparability to methods available to women.