The Male Contraceptive Pill Is A Step Closer But People Have Their Doubts
A birth control pill for men has been found to be 99% effective in preventing pregnancy in tests.
There’s a major caveat to that news: the tests were on mice. But scientists at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society shared the news that their non-hormonal male contraceptive pill prevented pregnancy in the rodents twithout obvious side effects. Human trials are set to follow later this year.
After decades of discussion around male contraception, there is growing hope that a male pill could relieve the ongoing contraceptive burden on women.
Surprisingly perhaps, a YouGov survey in 2018 found that a third (33%) of men would theoretically consider taking the pill if it was available.
And in 2019, at least one male pill, which contained hormones to stop sperm production, passed initial human safety tests.
This latest news certainly has social media talking. Though plenty are excited at the prospect, both men and women took to Twitter to express their doubts, too – either about taking the pill or trusting someone else to take it.
Here’s what people have been saying about the developments.
A male pill has been a long time coming
Took them long enough! https://t.co/pX42RLCvaX
— Harry Tubman (@plantationtales) March 24, 2022
There should’ve been male birth control by now. We have the pill, shot, implant, IUD, and many variations of what I just listed
— BUSTY RHODES ❤️???? (@IdaBWelps) March 24, 2022
And for many women it can’t come soon enough
Male contraceptive pill is 99% effective
— Kerry ???????? (@kerubo_hillary) March 24, 2022
I hope many men get serious about it and start using it
Any man that is blindly complaining about the male contraceptive pill needs to check themselves. Pregnancy is not just a woman’s responsibility ????
— Jess ???? (@ic_ca) March 24, 2022
When the male pill is released it should become primarily the male responsibility to take it for the next 50 years to even things out.
— Estebantz (@ActingTheGom) March 23, 2022
To be fair, many men are ready to join the queue
gimme me that 99% effective male contraceptive pill immediately imma pop those things non stop til I die
— Caolán (@Caolan_Walsh) March 24, 2022
Sign me up https://t.co/cDvhPq9lTw
— D A N I E L (@Mr_Manyau) March 24, 2022
Where can we get it?!?!? https://t.co/BJpQwEyALg
— Mbuyisa (@Sanele_so) March 24, 2022
And someone was always going to land this one
Male contraceptive pill deemed safe and effective in mice.
— Alan Gibbons (@mygibbo) March 23, 2022
Rather puts into perspective the question....
....are you a man or a mouse?
There have been plenty of ‘side effects’ jokes, too
So they’ll start getting moody as well https://t.co/6UuJgzta3z
— Pamela (@pammNkomo) March 24, 2022
Is it gonna make me fat and depressed ? https://t.co/RBk8nCZQXr
— Trill Nye the street science guy (@2Beardz) March 24, 2022
But women are raising eyebrows at the ‘no side effects’ bit
Male contraceptive pill with no side effects, you say???
— Lois. ???????? ???????? (@Hello_Lois) March 24, 2022
Me with my contraceptive that have been causing depression, weight gain and numerous other side effects... #thismorningpic.twitter.com/KsTbvuQVga
men being concerned about the potential side effects of a male birth control pill is HILARIOUS to me.
— selina kyle ????⬛ (@TheHorrorHottie) March 23, 2022
Oh go away.
— Jodie Rogers (@jodierog) March 23, 2022
Course the researchers went out of their way to create a male pill free of hormonal side effects.
Lucky male mice pups. https://t.co/FEWYjhvzwk
Nor are all women sure they’d even trust a man to take it
Ladies wouldn’t trust you even if they see u taking the pill every day???????? https://t.co/fx1p6V4tNM
— Nkosenhle NK (@Nkosenhle_NK) March 24, 2022
He gon say he on the pill. She thinking the new contraceptive male pill . Whole time he meant a perc https://t.co/VDJ8Ge2DLV
— etobes (@re4medconsoomer) March 23, 2022
According to straight women, men barely wipe their ass properly or receive regular physical examinations. So, them taking a male contraceptive in pill form is an incredible stretch. Good luck to you all.
— Rita Rich ????????✨ (@_ritahawk) March 23, 2022
They’ll continue taking their own, thank you very much
I honestly wouldn't trust a man who says he is on birth control so I'll continue taking mine. ???????? https://t.co/IGcWDOknWJ
— Mandisa (@mandymkhize3) March 24, 2022
I get the male contraceptive thing but do u really trust a man to take his pill on time like I’ll take care of myself thanks
— C (@caitlinbay15) March 24, 2022
Other people are worried this could lead to a rise in STDs
Friendly reminder that it won't prevent STIs tho https://t.co/6twUuklHh6
— I like nice things ???? (@Neo_KXclsv) March 24, 2022
oh lord stds gone up 80% https://t.co/Ovh83EZpWQ
— he/they batman ???? (@sappfri) March 23, 2022
Male birth control cool & all, now may we plz have a pill that shields us from all STD’s to mix with it.
— BROKE (@NotPawPaw) March 24, 2022
But still, there are some major props for the scientists
The mf who creates the male birth control pill better get a Nobel peace prize
— YvngRain ????☄️???? ® (@RainGxd) March 22, 2022
And at least some women know how they’ll be picking partners from now on
Future boyfriend criteria is
— Ellie-Mae Brady (@elliemaebrady) March 24, 2022
“are they willing to take the male contraceptive pill?”
No = jog on