Male Contraception???

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jul 31, 2003

Originally posted by Tilleycs
And I like to read threads where there aren't any...

Good luck

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2003

I just want to throw something else in here, since we're discussing trusting, monogamous relationships and STD's. I used to work as an STD/HIV counselor in a community clinic here, and you would DIE from shock if you only knew how many people, MEN AND WOMEN alike, came in and tested positive for one or more of a wide variety of diseases (including things that can't be cured, like HIV, Herpes, and HPV/Genital Warts) and were SURPRISED because, as far as *they* knew, they WERE in a trusting, monogamous relationship. Even MARRIAGE is not a guarantee that your spouse will not cheat on you, and these people found out the hard way. Any relationship that involves sexual intimacy is a risk, even if it is sealed by god and federal law. Each partner should take responsibility for STD protection, period.

Female condoms are saggy and less than comfortable, not to mention highly unattractive. Male condoms cut sensitivity. Barrier protection is essential in every relationship, IMO, unless you are willing to risk not only a baby but an uncomfortable, possibly deadly disease to boot. Would you trade sexual comfort for an open wound on your labia? Or take increased penile sensitivity in exchange for a cauliflower-sized fleshy growth on your shaft? Not interested in condoms for HIV protection? I'd say you'd have plenty of time to mull it over once you're infected, but we all know that's not true.

Women and men should take responsibility for all the consequences related to intimate sexual activity. I'm absolutely in favor of male hormonal birth control as an ADJUNCT to additional birth control/disease prevention methods.

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 31, 2003

Works for me, Kristi!!! ^5.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Aug 1, 2003

Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes
I meant NO male bashing here. IF anything I said was contrived as such, let please clarify. I believe couples need to be careful to prevent STD spread AT LEAST as much as pregnancy. No, personally, I would not rely on a man to do this FOR me. But I am in a monogamous relationship 16 years running now. STD's are not a problem for us that I know of. However......

I know monogamy is NOT the reality of SO MANY YOUNG sexually-active couples. Pregnancy prevention is only *part* of the responsiblity of a sexually-active couple. I just worry in our "pill-happy" society (USA), this would be seen as yet another "silver bullet" and even open up minds to MORE carelessness down the road. NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH MEN BEING irresponsible or responsible. IT TAKES TWO.

Anyhow, I hope I am understood; no male bashing going on here.

well said

live4today, RN · Aug 1, 2003

Originally posted by Kristi2377
......................................Women and men should take responsibility for all the consequences related to intimate
sexual activity.

I'm absolutely in favor of male hormonal birth control as an ADJUNCT to additional birth control/disease prevention methods.

Kristi, this is exactly the point of my starting this thread.

It was NOT to leave out the STD issues, but to stress the importance of NOT bringing another life into the world that was NOT thought about beforehand. This is what angers me the most.

People catch diseases because they did not use protection...and being married is NOT a foolproof method either as many married and formerly marrieds can vouch for.

When they catch those diseases, it is they...and only they...who must live with the consequences. Every action has a reaction, ya know.

My thought is BOTH partners need to start taking responsiblity for a life that has no voice in their union......the baby that is created in unions between two irresponsible people.

Have unprotective sex, your consequence may be an STD and a baby.........neither of which was planned. You will suffer from the STD, but so will the baby that wasn't thought of in the selfish acts that created life on top of a lot of other problems. We do NOT have the right to be careless in this way. The "ACT" is just NOT about the two consenting adults, it is about a possible third person "unseen" at the time, later seen as an "oops, didn't count on that baby".

People are going to have sex anyway, so all I am saying in defense of the uncreated child is STOP and protect yourself so you won't get pregnant with a child that has no voice about being created in the mess being made by that "act".

:)

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Aug 1, 2003

Originally posted by cheerfuldoer
Kristi, this is exactly the point of my starting this thread.

It was NOT to leave out the STD issues, but to stress the importance of NOT bringing another life into the world that was NOT thought about beforehand. This is what angers me the most.

People catch diseases because they did not use protection...and being married is NOT a foolproof method either as many married and formerly marrieds can vouch for.

When they catch those diseases, it is they...and only they...who must live with the consequences. Every action has a reaction, ya know.

My thought is BOTH partners need to start taking responsiblity for a life that has no voice in their union......the baby that is created in unions between two irresponsible people.

Have unprotective sex, your consequence may be an STD and a baby.........neither of which was planned. You will suffer from the STD, but so will the baby that wasn't thought of in the selfish acts that created life on top of a lot of other problems. We do NOT have the right to be careless in this way. The "ACT" is just NOT about the two consenting adults, it is about a possible third person "unseen" at the time, later seen as an "oops, didn't count on that baby".

People are going to have sex anyway, so all I am saying in defense of the uncreated child is STOP and protect yourself so you won't get pregnant with a child that has no voice about being created in the mess being made by that "act".

:)

well said

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 1, 2003

I dunno, the Pill fails literally **THOUSANDS** of women each year with PERFECT use. (figure 1% failure rates among MILLIONS of users, and you see that leaves a LOT of couples shocked, disappointed and now yes, a new life brought into the picture). A very valid concern.

I would dare say, the stats would be the same w/a male contraception, with PERFECT use, that is. I guess time will tell. That is why coupling barrier method contraception WITH the pill makes much more sense to me than creating a male pill/shot.

allnurses Guide · Aug 1, 2003

Deb . . .just a couple of anecdotal stories to bolster your thoughts. One of the docs I work with told us that he and his wife got preggers with their last child while she was on the pill and taking it correctly. My niece got preggers on the pill when switching to a lower dosage. She was supposed to be using another method for a couple of months. And didn't. I'm sure there are thousands of stories.

Birth control is NOT foolproof . . .

steph

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2003

My cousin got pregnant at 17 while she was using Norplant. She had it removed and began the Pill. She got pregnant again. A few years later, she was using a combo diaphragm/Pill and got pregnant with her third child and finally decided to have a tubal. Both myself AND my brother were conceived with the use of foam or jelly along with condoms. Obviously, the methods are greatly flawed. Combining sexual protection is the only way, aside from abstinence, that ups your chances of not getting ANYTHING, whether it be the clap or a bouncing baby boy. :)

Cheerfuldoer, I do understand your concern about babies being conceived and born unplanned and what will happen to them. It is certainly a legitimate concern! I work in an NICU in a large urban area that is just TEEMING with unplanned babies, many of whom won't even have the "luxury" of being adopted to a family who WANTS a child but cannot conceive themselves; rather, too often they seem to end up with the same parents who thoughtlessly conceived them, and with dire consequences as we all know.

I was just discussing this recently with some co-workers; I literally fear for our society and the state it will no doubt be in when we fast forward 20 years and these infants are now adults poised to accept the responsibility of the world. What type of society will it be, with a new generation of grandmothers who are only in their thirties? Will THEIR children (our children's children) be having babies even earlier? Already we have gone from seventeen year olds getting pregnant due to lax protection (as in my day in high school, not so long ago) to fourteen and fifteen year olds getting pregnant on a regular basis. I don't know about your area, but our SS dept intervenes only in extreme circumstances of inability to provide proper care; too frequently they are instead sending out home visits for 30 days with the promise that someone's aunt or sister or grandmother or mother will actually be the one in charge of the baby. About six months ago, we had an 11 year old who was having her first baby, and this was not the product of rape or molestation but a baby born out of what she claims was her "own personal decision" that she was ready to have one like everyone else. Eleven!!! What were YOU doing when you were ELEVEN? I can tell you what I was doing. I was in the fifth grade. I was teasing my bangs, wishing I was in high school, and still had a Barbie dreamhouse in the corner of my room. I was swooning over my Hot Dog! magazine pull-outs and playing tag and Freeze! with the kids on my block.

Furball · Aug 1, 2003

If people would only have sex when procreation is wanted we wouldn't have all these problems of unwanted babies......abortions wouldn't be needed.

CougRN · Aug 1, 2003

Where is it? And where do i sign up? I think it is a great idea as a male. I would love to have more control over birthing and the whole pregnancy process.

Just an added note. Most of the female condom use is for male homosexuals. Just so you know that is where it is used most. This comes from a former AIDS counselor.

debyan · Aug 1, 2003

I had twins using the pill correctly my mom had twins also using the pill correctly too How spooky is that ?