Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Birth control? It's your turn, guys

Birth control for men that doesn't come in a wrapper or require surgery? Yep.
And it's just around the corner from being on the market, a new study suggests.

It's injectable testosterone, and Chinese researchers say a test of 1,045 healthy, fertile men aged 20 to 45 years shows it's 98 percent effective. The pill is about 99 percent effective (when taken correctly) for women.

Said Dr. Yi-Qun Gu, of the National Research Institute for Family Planning in Beijing, China: "For couples who cannot, or prefer not to use only female-oriented contraception, options have been limited to vasectomy, condom and withdrawal, our study shows a male hormonal contraceptive regimen may be a potential, novel and workable alternative."

Could this new development finally bring equality to the responsibility for birth control? Only if men can be convinced to go for it. That could happen. After all, the injection is giving men more testosterone! And the procedure is more insurance against "slip-ups".

Former presidential candidate John Edwards (and probably wife Elizabeth too) might be wishing it was on the market some months ago.

14 comments:

Andrea said...

Sounds good in theory, but if the guy forgets to take his monthly injection, he isn't the one who is going to carry the baby for 40 weeks in his belly! I'm not sure I would trust any guy that much....

Essence said...

I think it's a great idea. Especially for couples when the woman is unable to handle taking the pill and doesn't qualify to get her tubes tied. I would trust my husband b/c we on the same pages.

catholicranger said...

"[E]very action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible is intrinsically evil" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2370).

Unknown said...

I guess you don't have to use it now do you catholicranger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0kJHQpvgB8

catholicranger said...

Of course, Kevin.

In exercising his freedom, every man can freely choose between good or evil.

Anonymous said...

I just don't understand why they had to use that catty remark at the end about the Edwards. I mean, good article until you put that in there.

catholicranger said...

Great point Elyssa!

The author implies that the Edwards' don't value the new life that was created from John's sin. That statement is a grave offense against truth and the respect for the reputation of the Edwards. While they certainly regret John's sin, they do not wish that the new life doesn't exist.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

And for those of you who won't be making it to church this Wednesday or Sunday, consider yourself educated. And of course blessed to be in the presence of such non-judgemental prose.

Manos said...

This is a great step forward in men's health. No longer will men have to fear that they were lied into being parents.

On the other hand, it could lead to rise in STD's if it lowers other forms of protection.

BelindaConnects said...

Rich football, basketball players & celebrities alike will love the option of male birth control! This can prevent gold digging women from getting themselves pregnant in order to cash in! Also, if i were a guy i wouldn't even tell her i'm on it, because if she suddenly tells me, "oops i'm pregnant." (although she does have a 2% chance of actually getting pregnant) I can then kick her to the curb!

Anonymous said...

sounds good to me. but will it make me gain weight? lol

i agree with elyssa. what a waste of an informative article to put that crappy comment in there. nobody REALLY knows if its his anyway. no telling how many other people she was hooking up with.

if i was a single man, i don't think i'd tell my girlfriends either. but i would still wrap it up every time unless in a LT relationship. you can't trust anyone!

Unknown said...

Just tell me you inject it in the arm and no where else. I'm getting a very painful visual.

catholicranger said...

Fundamentalist and Evangelical Charlotteans like to consider Charlotte the "buckle of the Bible belt." However, although they claim to be "Bible-believing" and reject the Tradition of the Catholic Church, they turn a blind eye to the story of Onan in Genesis whereupon God declares contraception so "wicked" that he kills Onan for it (Gen 38:8-10). Until 1930, all Christian denominations unanimously shared the common belief that contraception was "intrinsically evil" (CCC, no. 2370). Martin Luther called contraception "a sin far greater than adultery or incest." John Calvin called it "doubly monstrous" and a form of "violent abortion, no less cruelly than filthily cast upon the ground the offspring of his brother, torn from the maternal womb." John Wesley declared that those who practiced contraception "displease the Lord, and destroy their own souls."