What are the birth control options for men?

What is birth control for men?

Birth control for men are methods that people can use to prevent or reduce the chance of impregnating their sexual partner during sex.

Some birth control options, such as using a condom, are temporary and noninvasive. A vasectomy, on the other hand, is the only permanent form of birth control for males.

How does birth control for men work?

Birth control for males works by preventing sperm from entering the vagina. For example, proper use of condoms ensures that pre-ejaculate and ejaculate do not reach the womb and fertilize any eggs. Implantation of a sperm into an egg is the beginning of pregnancy.

Learn more about implantation here.

Different birth control methods have different success rates, similar to birth control options for females. Using birth control correctly, or using more than one type of birth control, significantly decreases the chance of unintentional pregnancy.

4 birth control options for men

There are several birth control options for men. It is important to follow any instructions from a healthcare professional or the manufacturers of the product, to reduce the chance of unintentional pregnancy.

Best for permanent birth control: Vasectomy

A vasectomy is the only permanent form of birth control for males. There are several different vasectomy techniques, but each works by preventing sperm from entering the vas deferens, the tube it normally flows through to exit the penis.

To cut or tie this tube, a doctor may carry out a minimally invasive outpatient procedure or a more complex surgical procedure. The appropriate option depends on a person’s needs and overall health.

While some vasectomies are reversible, the effectiveness of these procedures depends on the method and skill of the healthcare professional performing the vasectomy.

It also takes time — usually about 3 months — for a vasectomy to become fully effective, so a couple must use alternative methods of contraception during this time.

The success rate of vasectomies is higher than 99%, although around 1–2% of people who undergo the procedure experience complications such as pain or excessive bleeding.

Learn more about a vasectomy here.

Best for an accessible barrier method: Condoms

Condoms are a popular and accessible barrier method that can reduce the risk of pregnancy and STIs. They come in various shapes, colors, and sizes, and some include a spermicidal lubricant to help kill sperm.

Most condoms consist of latex, but people with latex allergies may purchase condoms comprising other materials, such as polyurethane or polyisoprene. It is important to check the instructions or labeling for potential allergens.

By following proper use guidelines, condoms can be up to 98% effective. However, many people do not use them correctly every time. They may put them on too late, leave the penis in the vagina after ejaculation, or perform actions that cause the condoms to tear.

With typical use, the effectiveness is around 85%.

Best for additional protection: Spermicide

Spermicide is a substance that kills sperm. When a person uses it as the sole method of contraception, they need to apply spermicide into the vagina.

With typical use, spermicide fails around 21% of the time. Due to this, spermicide may be an option for people looking for additional protection alongside other methods, such as a condom.

Best for monitoring ovulation: Fertility awareness

Fertility awareness is a method that focuses on monitoring a female partner’s menstrual cycles to pinpoint the likely time of ovulation. Partners can then avoid intercourse during this fertile window.

Males cannot practice this method alone. However, they can support female partners by charting menstrual cycles, learning about the approach, and cooperating when they need to abstain from sex.

The effectiveness of fertility awareness varies greatly. If a female has regular, predictable menstruation cycles, it is more likely to be effective. On average, the failure rate is 2–23% per year.

Other ways to reduce the risk of pregnancy

The following are some other ways a person can reduce the risk of unintentional pregnancy.

However, these methods often have a higher failure rate.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal refers to removing the penis from the vagina before it ejaculates. In theory, this method may prevent sperm from entering the vagina. An older study from 2014 found that, with the correct approach, the effectiveness of withdrawal is around 96%. However, over the course of a year, 22% of couples using this method will experience pregnancy.

The optimal approach requires a person to withdraw before any ejaculation occurs, not just at the beginning of ejaculation — this can be difficult to time. It also requires preventing the ejaculate from making contact with the vagina, so the penis must be completely clear of the vagina.

Outercourse

Outercourse means giving and receiving sexual pleasure using methods that will not result in pregnancy, such as oral sex, mutual masturbation, or using vibrators. As long as the semen does not make contact with the vagina, there is no chance of pregnancy.

However, there is still a risk of contracting certain STIs, particularly if a person comes into contact with their partner’s bodily fluids, including semen or vaginal fluid.

Abstinence

Abstinence involves refraining from sexual contact. Some people use the term to refer to avoiding vaginal intercourse, while others use it in the context of abstaining from all sexual contact. Abstinence that involves avoiding all sexual contact guarantees a zero risk of pregnancy and eliminates the likelihood of STIs.

Clinical trials

Researchers continue to explore male contraceptive methods that work similarly to the female birth control pill or injection. Males do not have the monthly menstrual cycles that females experience. Therefore, these methods must use other techniques to control fertility, such as suppressing certain hormones or reducing sperm count.

A 2019 clinical trial assessed a male birth control pill, which passed the first round of safety and tolerability tests. Hormone testing suggested the drug lowered certain hormones, including testosterone, which reduces fertility. While some men experienced erectile problems, overall interest in sex did not decrease.

Another 2019 study found an injectable mixture of hormones could reduce sperm motility and clog the vas deferens.

While no male birth control pill is available on the market, one might become available in the coming years.

When to contact a doctor

People may wish to contact a healthcare professional to determine which birth control method is best for their situation.

There are several options for female birth control, which, in combination with contraception such as condoms and spermicide, further reduce the risk of unintentional pregnancy. People may wish to speak to their partner to decide which options are best for them.

Learn more about birth control options here.

Some forms of birth control, such as vasectomy, require surgery. Healthcare professionals will determine if a person is a suitable candidate and offer information on how long a person may have to use other birth control methods after surgery to reduce the risk of pregnancy.

People should also contact a healthcare professional as soon as possible if they have any symptoms of an STI, a sexual partner discloses they have one, or if they are at risk of contracting one of these infections.

Most STIs are curable, but a person must ensure they do not risk passing on this infection to a partner during treatment. Some STIs are not curable, but medication can help reduce symptoms.

Frequently asked questions about birth control for men

Here are the answers to some common questions about male birth control.

Why isn’t there a birth control pill for men?

This is mainly because a birth control pill for males needs to work differently than one for females.

Males do not have monthly cycles like females, which means birth control pills cannot stop the release of an egg to prevent pregnancy. Instead, male birth control pills will have to reduce sperm count or suppress different hormones.

Researchers are still looking into a safe and effective birth control pill for males.

What happens if a man takes a birth control pill?

If a male takes a female birth control pill, nothing will happen.

Male and female hormones differ, and birth control pills do not affect males.

What method of birth control for men do doctors recommend most?

Healthcare professionals will recommend birth control options that are best for each individual.

Condoms are easily accessible, relatively less expensive than other methods, and do not permanently change a person’s ability to have children.

Vasectomy, on the other hand, is a permanent option that healthcare professionals may recommend if a person does not want any additional, or any, biological children.

Summary

Males have fewer birth control options than females, and most temporary male birth control techniques have a fairly high failure rate.

However, research into newer, potentially more effective methods is ongoing.

In the meantime, health experts recommend that males discuss birth control options with a doctor and their partners.