In an innovative study done on human males (rather than, you know, male rats or hamsters or whatever), it was discovered that male birth control via the injection of a contraceptive was 96 percent effective, Broadly reports.
The study was of “320 healthy men in monogamous relationships with female partners.” Subjects were injected every eight weeks with artificial testosterone, which basically tricks the body into stopping the production of actual testosterone. The injection works to suppress “spermatogenesis,” or basically when sperm mature into baby-making sperm. Science!
The study ended early, however, when it was found that test subjects experienced some less-than-fun side effects. These included “injection site pain, muscle pain, increased libido and acne,” according to Science Daily. Twenty men dropped out of the study because of these side effects, and eight of the 20 reported “mood disorders.” Any of this sound familiar, uterus-having friends??
Well, what do you know—it’s hard to be held completely responsible for the potential creation of babies! And it’s even harder when you’re experiencing pain and mood swings. I wonder if there are any experts who might have first experience with this topic…maybe…women who have been menstruating and dealing with hormonal birth control for years?
Although more research needs to be done in order to work out the kinks and bring this form of male contraception into popular use, Science Daily says that more than three-fourths of the participants said they’d be willing to use the birth control by the end of the trial.
For real though, it’s awesome that science is making a more legitimate foray into male contraception, and for many reasons! The success of male birth control would lessen the burden placed on women to prevent unintended pregnancies (and maybe even change some of the debate on abortion), and male birth control is simply a necessary reality of a gender-equitable world. Now more men just have to learn to deal with shitty side effects.