Why are we still waiting for male contraceptives?

Today women have eleven female contraceptives on the market to choose from, but men only have two. A man can either use a condom or undergo a vasectomy. According to Scienceprogress.org current data suggests that women alone use contraceptives 63.3% of the time. When the percentage of negotiated condom use is added into the equation the total rises to 91%.

Many female contraceptives can be expensive especially if a female individual does not have access to health care. Due to the expense some women are less likely to purchase birth control.

It should also be noted that many of the birth control options come with side effects such as weight gain, depression, decrease in sex drive and others.

The bottom line is that women devote time, money, and often physical and mental stressors when trying on a contraceptive. While I very much think that a male partner should pay for half the cost of contraceptives, it is still mostly the woman that bears the responsibility.

Scientists differ in opinion as to why other male contraceptives have not been explored. Some scientist say it is much more difficult to create a male contraceptive as men are fertile at all times and women are not. Others say that a man's body is easier to control and manipulate.

Researchers who actually wish to focus on male contraceptives are not always able to as allocated monies are usually geared towards female contraceptives. Part of this reason is because many pharmaceutical companies fear male contraceptives will not bring in enough money. Why not? Because most figure men would not be interested in taking on the responsibility of birth control in the way that women have for so long.

According to Scientificprogress.org there is a male contraceptive currently in the works that will hopefully have little to no side effects. While pharmaceutical companies say it is still most likely that men will be reluctant to use such contraceptives and will continue to rely on their female partners, current empirical data reveal that 55% of men would be willing to use contraception.

I understand that it might be frightening for a man to try a contraceptive when historically women have been using contraceptives that are known to be successful in warding off pregnancy. I think it is approrpiate to be cautious when it comes to treating our bodies. Even if a male contraceptive is put on the market I think it would be helpful to conduct research and seek varied opinions from different doctors.

The point of this post is to expose the sexism that lies within our society. When I say society this includes the medical world.

I would like for more women to be outspoken about contraceptives and not simply view it as something that is their sole responsibility or something they are "supposed" to do. I encouage couples of all sexual orientations to really talk to their partners about what sex means to each individual and what protecting each other really entails.