Male Contraceptive Methods

Contraception is normally aimed at helping women prevent unwanted pregnancy. The number of contraceptive methods for men pales in comparison. Not much has been done in the past to develop products that men can use for pregnancy prevention. Thankfully, science is on the fast track to delivering a number of innovative contraceptive choices for men.

Condoms

• Condoms are the most common form of male contraception. Condoms are the oldest form of birth control. There is reported evidence in Egypt in the form of illustrations of condoms dating as far back as 3,000 years. During that time condoms were constructed from material ranging from linen cloth, animal intestines and even tortoise shells. By the 1890's, manufacturers began using vulcanized rubber to mass-produce the contraceptives.

  These days condoms are mostly made from latex or polyurethane. You can also find some made from animal tissue. They are now manufactured to provide variety and come in various colors, textures and flavors.

  Before the 1960's you needed a doctor's prescription to get condoms; but today they are easily accessible, making it easier than ever to prevent unwanted pregnancy and protection from sexually transmitted diseases.

Vasectomy

• A vasectomy is typically an in-patient surgical procedure that prevents sperm from traveling out of the testes. The procedure provides a permanent solution for protection against pregnancy. A vasectomy is about 99 percent effective as a form of contraception.

  A vasectomy is not an immediate solution for pregnancy prevention. Sperm count decreases gradually instead of all at once, so another form of birth control should be used for at least three months following the procedure. After the three-month period, a doctor tests a sample of semen to make sure that no sperm is present before you can rely on it for contraception.

  If you change your mind and decide you want children after having a vasectomy, the procedure can be successfully reversed, but it is a complicated process.

Male Contraceptive Pill

• A male contraceptive pill isn't available on the market yet, but it's in the works. The Population Center for Research in Reproduction at the University of Washington in Seattle is busy testing several options with clinical trials. The pill would contain a dose of testosterone and taken consistently will significantly reduce sperm count as long as the pill is taken consistently.

Testosterone-Based Injections

• Contraceptive injections are also being tested at the Population Center for Research in Reproduction at the University of Washington. Sustain released testosterone injections are being tested on trial participants. So far they report no major side effects. Some participants have noticed a slight weight gain while testing the hormone shots. Test results show that the shots successfully lower sperm count in participants.