Close to 60 million women invariably use at least one method of contraception in their lifetime. What about men? Is there a way for men to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections as well? All over the world, the onus of birth control seems to be primarily dependent on women. It doesn’t have to be this way and there are various methods that men can adopt to avoid the risks of unsafe sex.

Contraceptive options for men include the following methods:

1. Vasectomy
Vasectomy is a type of permanent sterilization that is reasonably effective against unplanned pregnancy. It is a minor surgical procedure. In this standard procedure, a part of the reproductive organ in men, a tube that carries the sperm to the testicles, is cut and sealed. This is performed to prevent the sperm from fertilizing the egg. This minor procedure is simpler and faster than a sterilization surgery for women. Moreover, vasectomy is safe and does not alter the male sexual behavior in any manner. Vasectomy does not, however, prevent against other sexually transmitted diseases and is not a reversible process.

2. Condoms
Condoms carefully protect against sexually transmitted diseases like HIV AIDS, Herpes, and Gonorrhoea. Latex or polyurethane condoms physically prevent the sperm from leaking into the urethra, preventing fertilization of eggs. Estimated to be 98% effective against unplanned pregnancies, condoms are available in numerous shapes, sizes, and flavors too. Condoms, however, might come across as an interruption to the sexual mood for many people. In rare cases, condoms could tear and result in an unintended pregnancy. The latex or plastic used to manufacture the condom could cause skin allergies in some men.

3. Male contraceptive pill
A relatively new invention, the male contraceptive pill is a modified testosterone pill. It aims to decrease the production of sperm while not affecting the strength of the man’s libido in any manner. This pill has only been tested for safety and not for effectiveness or reversibility in men. Research has shown that while testosterone levels fell quickly, the reduction in sperm production was taking more time. Very few of the men who underwent the experimental trial experienced mild side effects. These included fatigue, headache, acne, and mild erectile dysfunction. Researchers believe that there is at least a decade of research required for the male contraceptive pill to be 100% effective.

Some of the newer methods of birth control for men that have not evolved are injectable gels that aim to prevent the sperm from ejecting from the testicles and nonsurgical vasectomy. Both of these are in the process of clinical trials. Until professionals come up with the right male contraceptive with minimal side effects, these new birth control methods for men are likely to remain a distant dream.