I hope you are having a good weekend all the users that make life in this interesting community. Today I would like to deal with a medical topic that in a certain way could be very influenced by the cultural aspect, and this is male contraception.
I know that it is not something that is commonly talked about, since generally the contraceptive issue is related to the feminine, but is this really the best option?, that it is only the woman who generally must assume this responsibility?* I know well that it is a topic that can lend itself to multiple interpretations and opinions, but in the following lines I will be stating what I think about it and obviously the scientific medical support of this.
Whether you are a man or a woman, I know that this is a topic that could attract your attention, so I invite you to keep reading to find out what I have to contribute here, and I know that you are interested in it.
When we talk about male contraception we refer to a set of methods that men can use to prevent pregnancy in women. Some examples of male contraception are *the condom, the vasectomy and the sperm barrier device.
- Let's talk first about the Condom, let's say that it is one of the easiest to use and that additionally it is within the reach of practically anyone.
The condom is a contraceptive method that is placed over the penis during sexual intercourse to prevent sperm from coming into contact with the eggs.
Condoms are effective in preventing pregnancy and can also help prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, the latter of which gives an additional value to this preventive method, since it prevents us not only from conceiving but also from contracting or transmitting diseases.
Of course, it's not all advantages, there are also some small disadvantages worth mentioning, such as:
They can break or slip off during the use of the method.
They can break or slip off during use if not used correctly.
Some people may have allergies to condoms or may have a reaction to the chemicals used to make them.
They may interfere with sensation during sex for some people.
Some people may forget to use a condom or may have difficulty using it correctly.
However, despite this, it is one of the most effective, as well as most economical, methods.
We have another method, in this case surgical, which is also very effective in preventing pregnancy, but does not protect us from infections, as is the Vasectomy.
Vasectomy is a surgical procedure performed in men to cut and seal the vas deferens, which are responsible for transporting sperm from the testicles to the penis. Vasectomy is a permanent method of contraception. This is something to keep in mind, there is no going back once this procedure has been performed.
This method also has some disadvantages, I would like to share them below:
It is a permanent method of contraception, which means it cannot be easily undone. If a man who has had a vasectomy decides he wants to have children in the future, it may be necessary to resort to expensive and complicated fertility treatments.
Vasectomy does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Men who have had a vasectomy still need to use condoms or other barrier methods to protect against these diseases.
Vasectomy may cause pain or mild discomfort after the procedure. Most men can control the pain with over-the-counter medications, such as diclofenac or ibuprofen.
We could say that these two are the most effective methods in the case of men. Unlike in the case of women, there are also very effective methods that are taken orally, such as birth control pills.
Although oral contraceptives are available for women, there is currently no FDA-approved oral contraceptive for men. However, there are several ongoing studies evaluating the effectiveness and safety of different drugs as oral contraceptives for men.
One of the drugs being studied as an oral contraceptive for men is dimethylsilyl mesylate. This drug has been shown to be effective in reducing sperm production in men and has been shown to be safe in clinical studies. However, more research is still underway to evaluate its long-term effectiveness and safety.
Other drugs being investigated as oral contraceptives for men include drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, which are hormones similar to those used in contraceptives for women. However, these drugs are still in the early stages of research and are not available for use as contraceptives.
It is easier to create drugs to reduce the possibility of a woman becoming pregnant than to make a man reduce his possibility of procreating, which is why it is easier for a woman to assume contraception than for a man to do so.
On the other hand, there is the fact that what is radical in men is surgical, and men are not always willing to undergo vasectomy. Partly because there is a cultural factor there, but also because all surgery, even if it is a minor surgery, implies some risks.
I think it is important to always talk about this when you have a stable partner, because a child is not a minor responsibility but something for life. It is also important to talk about it when you do not have a stable partner, so I consider it necessary to use a barrier method such as a condom as something indispensable.
Perhaps later on there will be an oral contraceptive for men, we will have to wait and see what the results of the studies that are currently being carried out are, for the time being, we have, in general terms, what I have mentioned here. Coitus interruptus is another "method " that people use, however, it is not safe at all, neither to avoid pregnancy nor to avoid infections.
I would like to know if you have anything to add, you can do so in the comments and we can all benefit from it.
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