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IS IT FINALLY THE MAN’S TURN?
By Katie Shea
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., Oct. 11 --- A birth control pill for men is expected to reach the market in the near future, according to worldwide researchers.
On Oct. 1, an MSNBC article revealed that the Population Center for Research in Reproduction at the University of Washington in Seattle has found a potentially safe and practical method of contraception for men. Researchers have been testing men, with both pills and injections.
“I never had any real noticeable side effects,” Larry Setlow, a 36-year-old participant of the clinical trials at the University of Washington told MSNBC.com. “They all worked really well and I was able to look at my lab results and see my sperm count drop to zero.”
According to MSNBC.com, over the past five years, researchers around the world had reached great success with male contraceptive pills, patches, implants and creams. The contraceptives contain a varied amount of hormones. Male contraceptives work similarly to female contraceptives; hormones are used to help reduce sperm production.
“We are trying to find the best combination with the least amount of side effects, and then the least amount of medication that may be required to get the maximum effect,” Dr. Christina Wang, head of clinical trials of MHCs at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, told MSNBC.
Wang, along with her fellow workers, have found that the combination of progestin and androgen implants are safe, effective and inexpensive.
Health officials have also found success with non-hormonal pills. A Sept. 28 MSNBC.com article told about a successful non-hormonal compound called CDB-4022 that prevents sperm from reaching their destination.
Based on a survey by the International Male Contraception Coalition, 61 percent of men would chose a non-hormonal drug over the other contraceptive choices, according to the MSNBC article.
Director of the International Male Contraception Coalition, Kirsten Thompson said to MSNBC, “Some men are quite desperate for better control over their fertility. They’re looking for something they can really count on.”
The Poughkeepsie student and faculty community have a variety of views about the new development of a male birth control pill. Many are concerned about the pill’s success.
“I’m not sure if men will buy it,” said Jess O’Brien, a senior at Marist College. “They have never had the responsibility of taking a pill every day. I don’t see men conforming very well to change so using a condom each time is probably easier for them.”
Steven Whitlow, a business/marketing major at Marist, is concerned with the transition from men using condoms to the pill.
“I feel like some men will use it as a replacement of condoms,” said Whitlow. “However, this concerns me because the pill will only stop pregnancy and not sexually transmitted infections.”
Some male students are more cautious about the possible side effects of taking a pill.
“My first reaction was ‘good,’ but after thinking about it, I’m confused with the amount of testosterone in the pills along with the effects from lack of testosterone post use,” said 26-year-old Nick Boutillier, a student at the Culinary Institute of America. “Through my experience with others who have used testosterone enhancing products, some downfalls in post use include overproduction of estrogen and lack of sex drive. In extreme cases, some people needed to purchase anti-estrogen products in order to counteract this effect.”
“I think it is a good idea, but I would hesitate to buy it before I know the actual side effects it has on the male users,” said 21-year-old John Macaluso, a biology major at Marist College.
Dr. Paula Willoquet-Maricondi, an associate professor and chair of media arts at Marist College, believes the new male pill creates a shared birth control responsibility for both men and women.
She adds that the student reaction will “depend on whether it is perceived as ‘feminizing’ men, given that the words ‘birth control pill’ have over the years become associated with the woman. But maybe this generation of males is ‘liberated’ and would be happy to be doing their part.”
“It puts major responsibility on men who chose to use the pill,” said Eric Zedalis, senior at Marist College. “However, I still believe it is a good option for men to have.”
“Trust in men is a common issue with women,” said Catherine Fleury, 21-year-old Marist student. “For all these years, women have been using the pill and this change would be a big deal.”
“Even though it would be great not to always have the responsibility, I would have a hard time trusting men who say that they are on the pill,” said O’Brien.
Fleury agrees.
“Using a condom is a visual reassurance of not getting pregnant, but I still think it’s a step in the right direction.”