Is birth control primarily a woman’s issue?

The options for birth control for women are plentiful. It has many forms: a shot, pill, patch, IUDs, and even implants that go beneath the skin under your arm. All of these methods are preventative before any sexual intercourse has occurred. All of the options women have for birth control should feel liberating except it doesn’t once you open the small print pamphlet inside your birth control box to find an extensive list of side effects. Side effects can range from mild such as nausea to more severe effects like blood clots, strokes, and even death.

What’s also alarming to the widespread use of birth control and likely a contributing factor to why it is so widespread is the casual nature of doctors prescribing it to women as a proposed solution to almost any female related ailment. Read about how birth control covers up rather than solves these issues. A symptom a patient may be experiencing could possibly cover up a more serious issue concerning her fertility and is masked by the effects of birth control. There is also the issue of medicating with birth control to solve more minor issues such as painful periods or even acne which seems a bit extreme considering all of the possible side effects birth control carries.

With all of the potential side effects and the overuse of prescribing birth control instead of solving the root issues, the reasonable question women should ask is why are men not stepping up more?

Birth control options for men

The two most common forms of birth control options for men are condoms and vasectemies. Condoms have an added benefit of protection against some STIs if used correctly and if they do not break. However, a condom must be used right before sexual intercouse every time. It’s relability is directly affected by how responsible your partner is in using one before each interaction. A vasectemy which requires an initial commitment to a surgerical procedure can be effective although there has been cases of pregnancy after a vasectemy. Vasectemies, are not always reversable so it is a decision to become infertile for life which is not an easy decision for some men to commit to in giving up their fertility. Research in regards to a daily preventative method of birth control similar to “the pill” has been ongoing for many years.