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Birth Control for Guys
by Susan Yudt, 03.22.01
If you and your girl are going to have sex, you need to think about protection. Fortunately, you've got a whole bunch of different kinds to choose from. You may have done the ribbed vs. smooth or clear vs. colored thing, but birth control goes way beyond condom varieties.
There may be no male birth control pill yet, but that doesn't excuse you from participating in protection.
The Pill
The Upside
When used correctly, the pill is up to 99.7 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, and the side effects usually aren't major. Also, you won't have to stop in the middle of a sexual encounter and fumble around for a condom in your sock drawer.
The Downside
The pill doesn't offer any protection against sexually transmitted infections. Ideally, you can use a condom-pill combo for protection against both pregnancy and infection.
What You Can Do
The pill puts a lot of the responsibility on the woman — she has to take it every day, preferably at the same time, in order for it to be really effective.
Now, being the generous guy that you are, I know you'd be the one who'd offer to go on the pill if you could. But until a pill for men hits the shelves, you can do your part in other ways:
- Help your partner pay for the pill.
- Go with her to the health center to get a prescription.
- Remind her to take it while she's still getting used to the routine.
The Shot
The Upside
The shot is a hormonal injection that a woman needs to get only once every three months. For most women, it's even more effective than the pill against preventing pregnancy, and again — no fumbling around in the dark for a condom!
The Downside
Like the pill, the shot offers no protection against infections, so it's best to use it with a condom. Also, recent studies have found that in order to reduce the risk of bone thinning, it's best not to use the shot for more than two years in a row. Click here for an important update about the shot.
What You Can Do
It's a little cheaper than the pill, but your partner will definitely appreciate your paying your fair share!
The Female Condom
The Upside
It's not just a male condom done up in pink! The female condom is a "pouch" with rings at each end that fits into the vagina and prevents sperm from entering the cervix. It's a barrier method, so it offers pretty solid protection against both pregnancy and infections. And the guy doesn't need to stay hard to keep it in place. At $3 a pop, it's second only to the male condom in thriftiness and is conveniently available at your local drugstore. (They're sold under the brand name FC Female Condom.)
The Downside
Like the most common complaint lodged against the male condom, the female condom may require an interruption in sex play and advance planning. Opinion is divided as to whether it's more or less comfortable than the male condom. It's also a little less effective than the male condom. But if you're looking to try something new in infection protection, this one's for you!
What You Can Do
Stock up, and learn how to use it ... together!
The Condom
The Upside
Used correctly, condoms offer heavy-duty protection against both pregnancy and infection. You can find them at the drugstore, they'll usually set you back less than a dollar apiece, and they're portable — just don't let them sit in your car or your wallet for too long, or they'll expire!
The Downside
Sometimes in the middle of making out, a condom can seem more annoying than your bratty little brother. You just don't want to deal with the intrusion. There's the fumbling, the bunching, the slipping ...
What You Can Do
How can you make condoms your friend? Practice! If you're relatively new at this — or expecting to give it a go for the first time — the best thing you can do to feel like a seasoned pro is to experiment beforehand — either on yourself or on a similarly shaped object! (Just be sure to lock the door first to avoid embarrassing encounters!)
If you're not into condoms because you or your partner has experienced discomfort with them, it's possible that one of you is allergic to latex, spermicide, or lubricant. This doesn't mean you have to ditch them altogether — you may just need to switch brands of lubricant or types of condoms. (Although keep in mind that latex condoms are the most effective at preventing infections.) The best thing to do in this case is check with a clinician and see what she or he recommends.
So now you have a little more info to add to your already vast storehouse of birth control knowledge. Put these facts to good use in finding the method that works best for you and your partner. After all, smart is sexy!
Class dismissed! |
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