Male vs. Female Contraception

Weighing the pros and cons of male vs. female contraception is a helpful way to determine which types of birth control are best for you. Those who are in a committed relationship typically have different needs than singles. Each method is unique and comes with its own considerations.

Male and female birth control offers options for both partners

Contraception for men and women is a critical aspect of intimate relationships. As a rule of thumb, it is best to ensure that you do everything necessary to prevent unwanted pregnancy. This means taking birth control into your own hands.

People who want permanent, irreversible birth control have different needs than those who plan to start families later. There are considerations to make concerning male vs. female contraception for couples who want a permanent solution.

Birth control comes in many forms and the type you select should fit the different aspects of your life, including your sexual activity as well as your overall health. Most forms of contraception are for women, which allows females to take control of their reproductive systems. For this reason, many find the female forms of birth control to be superior to male contraception.

In some cases, male contraception is preferred. Many men can benefit from taking precautions to protect their health as well as to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Normally, the condom is the first thing a person thinks of when considering male contraception, but other forms of birth control are available.

Contraceptive options for men include condoms, natural birth control methods like withdrawal, and vasectomy.

The condom is a popular choice for many men because it serves two purposes--it is effective in preventing pregnancies and is effective in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. The female condom is less convenient because it can be difficult to use and it is more expensive. It does protect against unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases but it has to be used correctly, leaving much room for human error.

Condoms are an excellent choice, but other forms of birth control for guys are readily available. Other promising developments are in the works, too.

The male birth control pill is on the horizon as a promising form of contraception for men. The hormone therapy may be taken in a number of convenient forms, making the approach a viable option for men. Forms of hormone therapy include:

• Pill
• Patches
• Injections
• Gels
• Implants

Many men embrace the idea of taking control of their contraception using this approach while others won't even consider hormone therapy. Side effects were minimal in clinical trials, with one patient noting no side effects other than possibly gaining a few pounds.

If the lack of side effects found in clinical trials continues, the hormone therapy for men may be a superior alternative to hormones for women. Many women are unable to handle the side effects of birth control pills and similar forms of hormonal contraception.

Men are limited in this area because most forms of [Advantages of a Natural Method of Contraception|natural birth control]] depend on following the woman's reproductive cycle. Withdrawal is the primary natural approach to avoiding unwanted pregnancies. This approach does not protect against STDs and it is unreliable.

When it comes to natural forms of contraception, women have a better chance of success using techniques like the rhythm method.

Many couples want permanent birth control and, for men, the primary approach is to have a vasectomy. Vasectomies are often considered superior to tubal ligation because:

• It is an outpatient procedure
• There are fewer complications
• There's a faster recovery
• It's less expensive

Women who undergo a tubal ligation will often be gospitalization for several hours and take several days to recover. Possible complications include anesthesia problems, infections, injury to the intestine, and pulmonary embolism.

Cost is also a considerable factor with vasectomies costing a mere fraction of the cost for tubal ligation.

The only no-fail form of birth control for both men and women is abstinence. However, many other options are readily available. Weighing the benefits and drawbacks of male vs. female contraception can help couples make the right decision. This process begins with a visit to your doctor.

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