In 2017 the first form of male birth control will be released to the public. But contrary to popular belief, the birth control will not be available in pill form but instead injection. Vasalgel is a non-hormonal gel that is to be injected just above the testicles. It will be effective by temporarily blocking sperm flow through the males tubes. It is planned to work similarly to a vasectomy but it differs because this procedure is able to be reversed. When it’s time to undo the procedure months or even years later, a second injection flushes out the polymer wall and restores the sperm flow. In this procedure, the vas deferens is not permanently cut.
At this point, Vasagel has only been tested on baboons and rabbits. All of the results have been positive and hopefully will be similar when the injection is tested on humans next year. The goal is to make this procedure as widely available and inexpensive as possible. But, Vasalgel will not protect against STD transmission. Even with Vasalgel, males have the ability to carry HIV or other infections. Although this is a form of male birth control, it will only be effective in preventing pregnancy. Condoms are still necessary in effort to prevent the transmission of an STD. One problem that this can lead to is there is no proof of the shot so it may be possible that a woman may not trust her partner when he claims to have this procedure done.
The question is not whether it will work scientifically but instead socially. For as long as many can remember, males have only had to worry about their partners remembering to take the pill. But, as soon as Vasagel is released, the responsibility of protection will shift to both genders.
Given that it takes two to in order to conceive a child, it seems only fair that both parties be supplied with the materials to ensure sex safe and avoid unwanted pregnancies.
Works Cited:
Lakshmin, Deepa. “Male Birth Control Is Almost Here — And No, We Don’t Mean Condoms.”News. MTV, Sept.-Oct. 2014. Web. 17 Sept. 2014.
Sanghani, Radhika. “Male Birth Control Could Be Here by 2017 – but Will Anyone Take It?” The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 12 Sept. 2014. Web. 17 Sept. 2014.
Valenti, Jessica. “Male Birth Control: If You Build It, Will They Come?” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited, 16 Sept. 2014. Web. 17 Sept. 2014.
I think the amount of men who actually go through with the procedure will be slim regardless of how cheap it may be. One reason, is the shot is going to be in a very uncomfortable place on the males body. It seems as if it almost isn’t fair the amount of options that woman have where guys really only have four including abstinence. They also have condoms which aren’t always one hundred percent effective and hopefully soon the option of the shot. But both the shot and the vasectomy require the male to endure some type of pain which really doesn’t seem fair.
I think a form of male birth control will be very effective in helping prevent teen pregnancies or unwanted pregnancies. For the longest time, it was always up to women to worry about taking birth control and remembering to take it every day. With Vasalgel, men will now be able to participate in the responsibility of preventing any unwanted pregnancies. The fact that the birth control is non-hormonal is another positive aspect of the gel. Women’s birth control causes hormonal changes that sometimes have unwanted effects such as acne, depression, or weight gain. I agree with you that it is only fair for both genders to be responsible about birth control. With Vasalgel, the responsibility will definitely become more equal however I wonder how many men will actually be willing to go through with the procedure.