Half of the young men are open to the men’s pill

It has been said for years that a male pill is on the way, but besides the condom and sterilization, there are still no other methods of contraception available for men. Many young people, both women and men, think that this must change.

Eight in ten (81 percent) young women and half of young men (50 percent) would like more contraceptives for men to enter the market. This is shown by research by 3Vraag, part of the EenVandaag Opinion panel, in collaboration with 3FM HUMAN. The study involved 3,500 young people aged 16 to 34.

Naturally

Nine in ten (87 percent) believe that men are just as responsible for birth control as women. Yet many young people note that it is often assumed that women use contraception. Because there are more resources for this, the woman is the one who can get pregnant and some also use the pill, the IUD or something else against menstrual complaints. 82 percent say that they feel it goes without saying that the woman uses contraception.

According to young people, more options would ensure that men can get a better grip on their fertility and that the responsibility for contraception can be divided more equally: “If there is more choice, it would make the conversation about contraception in a relationship a lot more honest. “writes one participant.

Research

Many participants believe that in 2021 it is time for more options for men. “Women use contraception because there is no other choice, but it doesn’t encourage the pharmaceutical industry to develop anything else,” says one. Another: “It is important for emancipation that men are also given more responsibility in preventing unwanted pregnancy.”

In the studies of new contraceptives for men, there is currently a test with a gel that the man puts on his shoulder every day. A male pill is also being looked at. Both are hormonal contraceptives that stop sperm production but maintain libido.

Men’s pill favorite

More than half of the young men who are attracted to women (53 percent) would like to use such a pill. Because there is also a women’s pill, it feels like a familiar method to them. A smaller group (38 percent) is enthusiastic about lubricating the gel.

For men who do not like these drugs (40 and 49 percent respectively), the use of hormones is mainly unknown territory. They are wary of what it will do to their body. “No weird hormones for me. I do use a condom”, someone says.

Spraying

In addition, an investigation is ongoing into a non-hormonal injection. This involves injecting a gel into the vas deferens that blocks the sperm cells. With such an injection, a man is infertile for ten to fifteen years, although the procedure can be reversed sooner.

This option is less well received. A quarter (24 percent) would consider such a syringe. Precisely because no hormones are used and because then they do not have to think about their fertility for a long time.

Third prefer to keep current situation

Seven out of ten young men (71 percent) don’t like it. They don’t want to think about having a needle near their genitals or think it’s a very drastic step at their age.

In general, a third (36 percent) would not like to use a new contraceptive that is comparable to contraception for women in terms of reliability and side effects. They like to keep the situation as it is now. “Why invest in such resources when there are enough alternatives for women?” Someone wonders.

Handing over

Should the male pill or gel actually come onto the market, that does not necessarily mean that women dare to completely relinquish control of contraception to men. Four in ten (40 percent) would consider this, but an equally large group (39 percent) certainly not. They prefer to keep control to themselves or see more of a new form of ‘double Dutch’. Someone writes: “I would not want to get off the pill myself, but I would like it if my friend could also take contraception. Then we are doubly protected. If I accidentally forget the pill once, we are not immediately unsafe. “

However, nearly nine in ten (88 percent) women in a relationship would entrust their current boyfriend with the use of contraception. “My partner would rather than me at the moment not want a child, so he would do everything he could to prevent pregnancy,” said one participant.