For many couples, contraception is largely the responsibility of the woman. Many of the most reliable forms of birth control are designed for women, although men can take an active role in preventing unplanned pregnancies. The most effective non-permanent form of birth control focuses on blocking sperm from fertilizing eggs in the uterus. However, research continues on new methods of effective contraception designed for use by men.
Withdrawal
The technical name for withdrawal, or "pulling out" during intercourse is "coitus interruptus," which refers to the interruption of sex before the male ejaculates, Planned Parenthood explains. Using the withdrawal method requires no prescription or equipment, but a man must be able to determine when he is close to climax, and possess the discipline to pull out beforehand. However, pregnancy can still occur even when withdrawal occurs in time, because pre-ejaculation fluid may still contain sperm, according to Dr. Roger Harms, writing for MayoClinic.com. The withdrawal method has a failure rate of 17 percent to 27 percent, according to MayoClinic.com.
Condoms
Condoms prevent pregnancy by forming a barrier between a man's semen and a woman's vagina and uterus, according to Healthline.com. The three types are latex, polyurethane and animal skin. Latex condoms are the most common and least expensive, but also more likely to cause irritation due to latex allergies, according to Epigee. Latex and polyurethane condoms also offer protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms can break, which creates the risk of semen entering the uterus. Condoms have a failure rate of 1 in 50, according to MayoClinic.com.
Vasectomy
A vasectomy is an operation to cut the vas deferens, which carry sperm into the penis during sexual intercourse. After the operation, sperm count decreases gradually until the man is considered to be infertile. Vasectomy is considered to be a permanent form of birth control, although vasectomy reversals for men who later wish to father children are approximately 50 percent successful, according to MayoClinic.com.
Vasectomy does not adversely affect a man's sexual performance. Research has also determined that a vasectomy does not increase a man's risk for prostate cancer, according to Dr.Todd B. Nippoldt, writing for MayoClinic.com. When performed correctly, the chance of a man impregnating a woman after a vasectomy is less than 0.1 percent, according to Epigee.
"The Male Pill" And Male Hormone Injections
As of August 2010, the male birth control pill shared a similar status with "female Viagra,"--more the subject of speculation and research than a viable product for the market, according to Netdoctor.co.uk. Women who participated in research conducted at Teeside University in England, where trials for a male contraceptive pill began in 2010, expressed doubts that men would actually take a pill every day, according to Science Daily. Men do not get pregnant, and therefore lack the motivation women have to remember to take a pill daily, claims professor emeritus John Guillebaud of University College London, quoted by Netdoctor.co.uk.
Guillebaud favors implants on a man's upper arm, where women can readily check for their presence. A 2009 trial conducted by the University of Manchester tested injections of testosterone combined with a second hormone designed to suppress sperm production, Science Daily reported. Previous studies conducted in China showed that male hormonal injections had a similar rate of effectiveness as "the Pill" for women, according to Dr. Frederick Wu, lead researcher for the study.
