Here’s a fun fact for Floridians: More men protect against unplanned pregnancies than protect their own skin. According to a 2023 study, 75% of men are willing to use a novel form of male birth control, while just 8% regularly use sunscreen.
If you are among the estimated 17 million men interested in birth control, now is a good time to commit to a method – for protection as well as for Valentine’s Day. For the 65% of women ages 15 to 49 who use birth control (and tolerate the side effects), sharing the responsibility would be a very good gift.
Sure, there aren’t as many birth control options for men as women (today), but some of the most effective forms of contraception are designed for men. And promising new male birth control methods are being explored right now, thanks to clinical research.
Male Birth Control Choices Today and on the Horizon
After all, family planning is a men’s issue too – 85% of men say they want to avoid an unplanned pregnancy. Further, an estimated four in 10 men are “very” interested in new methods of male birth control, according to research by the Male Contraceptive Initiative.
For these men and you, here are your options:
Vasectomy
A vasectomy is among the safest and most effective forms of birth control because it surgically prevents sperm from reaching the penis. The chance of conception afterward is just one in 1,000 (99.9% success rate).
The procedure goes as follows: The urologist makes one or two small incisions on the sides of the scrotum to access the tubes that carry your sperm to the penis. The doctor then gently snips and seals off each tube, so the sperm that your testicles produce is absorbed and broken down by the body. (In many cases, the doctor can use a no-scalpel, puncture approach through a single puncture.)
All in, a vasectomy takes less than 30 minutes and is typically performed under local anesthesia, but talk to your doctor about other options if you expect to be anxious.
You will come home the day of the procedure and need a few days to recover. You should avoid strenuous activity and sex for about a week and should not have unprotected sex for about three months. This is important: Some remaining sperm can live in your system for months. Use birth control until your doctor confirms you are free of mobile sperm.
Note: A vasectomy is considered permanent. A reversal procedure is available but its success depends on several factors, such as the time lapsed. You can learn more about what to expect from a vasectomy here.
Condoms
Condoms are among the oldest methods of birth control, dating back to the Ancient Egyptians and even Greek mythology. Back then, condoms or “sheaths” came in the form of goat bladders used not so much to prevent pregnancy as to protect against the spread of illness.
Thanks to their effectiveness and affordability, condoms remain one the most popular forms of birth control and disease preventers. If used perfectly, condoms have a 98% pregnancy-prevention rate, because they capture and hold the ejaculate.
However, accidents do occur; a condom can slip off, leak, or tear. Each year, nearly 15 of every 100 couples who use condoms as their sole method of birth control get pregnant. Take time to ensure you apply yours properly.
Spermicide
Spermicide is a substance that kills sperm before they can fertilize an egg. It can be applied as a foam, cream, suppository, jelly, or taken as a tablet.
As a sole method of birth control, spermicide prevents pregnancies about 70% to 80% of the time. Spermicide condoms, which are condoms coated with spermicide, prevent pregnancy 87% of the time in general – factoring in leaks, slips, and other accidents. If used perfectly, they are as effective as regular condoms.
One important side effect: Spermicide can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs) in some women. You should ask your partner about UTIs before using this method.
NES/T Gel, a Next Generation Sperm Reducer
Researchers have been testing a male hormone drug to “shoulder” pregnancy prevention since 2005. In 2024, promising results pushed this technology forward in the form of a topical gel.
The gel, known as NES/T, combines testosterone with a synthetic hormone called Nestorone. When rubbed daily into the shoulder and absorbed over 15 weeks, the combo reduced sperm production to pregnancy-preventing rates in 86% of the male test subjects – while keeping testosterone at healthy levels.
Researchers are seeking clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to perform trials. If cleared, the final phase of testing can start in 2025. Still, that could take another few years, and will rely on funding.
Talk to Your Partner and Your Doctor
If you have questions about a form of male birth control, ask your urologist how these methods might fit into your life. Have this conversation with your partner, as well.
And if you’re finished having children, consider a vasectomy.
The physicians at Advanced Urology Institute keep up to date on male birth control and can advise you on your best treatments. Contact us to request an appointment for a consultation at a location near you.