Family planning, also known as "birth control," is an umbrella term describing the use of methods intended to regulate the number and timing of pregnancies and births within a family. A variety of family planning methods are possible; the common factor between the different methods is the aim of preventing fertilization of a woman's ovum or "egg" with a man's sperm or "seed." Although many family planning options are designed for use by women, there are several options which can be controlled by the male partner. Family planning should always be a collaborative effort, which is discussed and decided jointly by the man and woman.
Reasons for Family Planning
Reasons for the use of family planning are as varied as the individuals who use birth control. Often, individuals and couples will wish to delay having a family until they feel emotionally and economically prepared to care for children. Other people simply don't want to have children. Within a family, parents may wish to control the time elapsing between the births of successive children--medically, a three-year minimum interval between the birth of an older sibling and the next baby is considered best for the health of the mother and the children. Without family planning, the chance of pregnancy may be as high as 30 percent for each time a couple has sex.
Types
Barrier methods, such as male condoms, act as a physical barrier to sperm. The condom is a latex sheath which is worn by the man; semen is collected in the condom during intercourse. It is important you learn how to effectively put on and remove a condom so that the chance of the latex barrier breaking or slipping off is minimized. You should also consider using supplemental birth control methods such as a spermicide, as condoms alone are only 75 to 85 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.
The most effective--and most permanent--type of male family planning currently available is the vasectomy. This is a surgical procedure undergone by the male, in which the connecting tubes between the testicles and the penis are severed. After a vasectomy, a man can still have sexual intercourse, but his semen will not contain sperm from the testicles and therefore there the chance of pregnancy occurring is almost zero. Vasectomy is the birth control method typically used by men who are very certain they do not want to have any more children.
Potential
Since approximately 2005, researchers have been attempting to develop an effective male contraceptive pill similar in effects to the female contraceptive pill which has been available since the 1960s. Contraceptive patches, creams and implants for male use could also become available in the next five to seven years. Dr. Christina Wang, the head of a current clinical trial of male hormonal contraceptives at UCLA Medical Center, says that progestin and androgen hormones prove effective, safe, reversible and inexpensive for use as a male contraceptive.
If hormonal family planning methods for male use are approved by the Food and Drug Administration, they would offer an effective option for male birth control. The effectiveness of hormonal family planning methods for men or women is significantly higher than the effectiveness of condoms and barrier methods.
Considerations
Which kind of male family planning to use should be considered with reference to the relationship you are part of--if any--and your reasons for using birth control. In short-term or casual relationships, a barrier method of contraception is essential in preventing partner-to-partner transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. In a long-term monogamous relationship, couples may prefer to use a more effective method of family planning such as pills or vasectomy. Some women are not able to take birth control pills due to factors including age, weight, smoking or family medical history. In this situation, male family planning may become the primary mode of contraception.
Side Effects
All methods of family planning carry possible side effects. It is possible for male or female individuals to be allergic to the latex used in barrier methods such as condoms, or to be allergic to spermicide. Hormonal methods of birth control also have possible side effects including weight gain, mood changes and--for women--an increased risk of blood clots. Side effects of vasectomy include temporary pain following surgery. The benefits and risks of the different methods should be discussed with your doctor and your partner before any decisions are made.
