For decades, it has been a women's responsibility to manage contraception.
But what about men?
When will it be their turn?
For years women have been offered a smorgasbord of contraceptive methods.
From Yaz to Yasmin, Camilla, Zarah, Levlen and Portia, the shared triumphs and tribulations with these names among women is not uncommon. Sure, some men might have a story too, but for about 90% of women, one of these names would be remembered as their first method of contraception, and barrier to pregnancy.
Whilst there are now many different pills to cater to many women's needs, the plethora of contraceptive pills within the 'contraception for women' sphere, is a drop in the ocean...
Available contraceptive methods for women include, IUD’s, rod implant, injections, patches, vaginal rings and more, however the variety of contraception for men still stands at one, singular, impermanent method - the trusty old condom.
(Or a vasectomy if we're getting technical, but that's usually permanent).
1961 was the year that ALL women (not just the ones with a husband) were granted the right to access the contraceptive pill, which held a hefty 27.5% “luxury” tax on it…That was 61 years ago. In that time, female contraceptive methods increased rapidly and there was, as there is now, an array of methods to choose from. However none were found for men.
And 61 years later, women still hold the responsibility of contraception.
“From a personal perspective, having tried almost all contraceptives currently on the market and none being suitable and or effective, having my husband try an effective male contraceptive option that isn't permanent would be a massive relief for me... If there were more options for my husband, it would definitely take some pressure off me and make me feel less at fault if there was another unplanned pregnancy, as it wouldn't be my body or my mistake that allowed it to get through”, said Rachel.
Professor Robert John Aitken from the Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, based at the University of Newcastle, says expanding male contraception has been under research for some time now, and if it weren’t for money and resources, the progress would be much more substantial and greatly appreciated by now. According to the National Museum of Australia, trials for the female contraceptive pill started in 1954, and after just 7 years of trialling, the pill was stacked on the shelves. Numerous side effects still come with taking the hormonal pill, ranging from nausea, headaches, weight gain, cardiovascular problems and even infertility.
Although there has been research suggesting that a male contraceptive pill is on the way and after testing has seen to be somewhat successful (with little to no side effects) there still isn't an available male contraceptive pill.