Birth control has always been seen primarily as a woman’s responsibility. There is a growing conversation around the importance of including men more actively in birth control options and education.
One common option provided for preventative care is the birth control pill, an oral contraceptive that uses hormones to prevent pregnancy. The side effects vary depending on who takes it. Women report the side effects as unbearable and mentally exhausting, with a profound number of horrible side effects.
The copper IUD, also known as ParaGard, is a birth control device that kills sperm cells. It is a contraceptive that requires insertion into the uterus through the cervix, a procedure that can be very painful for women. Many birth control clinics will not offer an anesthetic or painkillers for the insertion. This contraceptive results in side effects such as irregular bleeding and spotting between periods, severe cramps, serious menstrual pain, and heavy bleeding, especially during the first few months of use. When placed in the uterus, it is possible to experience symptoms such as fainting, irregular heartbeat, nausea, and dizziness.
Community member Madelyn Ward stated, “My experience with birth control has been hard. I’ve had the Copper IUD and the Depo shot. The shot made me extremely depressed and lasted for three months. It messed up my mental health extremely and made me very fearful of birth control. When I did get the copper IUD, I thought it would be beneficial because of what I’ve heard about it. Instead, I could not be comfortable for more than an hour without stabbing sharp pains in my body from it being misplaced. I got it done twice due to displacement, and it made me throw up and endure excruciating pain.”
She further stated, “The process is very inhumane, along with the fact that they don’t put women under anesthesia for the procedure. I think birth control should be way more studied and worked on, especially for men. It’s unfair for only women to have to take all these hormones or go through painful procedures just so they don’t get pregnant.”
Although, as of 2025, there have been studies for male birth control, many experiments have been turned down due to side effects such as headaches and “the idea of an invisible orgasm unappealing,” according to the BBC. Many women argue that it is unfair because of the countless side effects female birth control options have, including headaches, nausea, weight gain, weight loss, decline in mental health, and others. Expanding birth control access and awareness towards men is a crucial step towards responsibility, gender equality, and better reproductive outcomes
Encouraging men to take a role in birth control can also alleviate some of the physical and emotional burdens women face with hormonal contraceptives, which can have varied effects involving health risks and mental decline. Sharing this responsibility promotes healthier relationships and mutual respect. Educational efforts should focus more on normalizing male birth control and introducing open communication. When men are informed and engaged, they can participate in family planning decisions, leading to more balanced and thoughtful reproductive management.
Currently, male contraceptives are limited to condoms and vasectomies; while effective, they each have their limitations and downsides. Although there have been trials for other options, there are “safety concerns” and a lack of research. This ultimately forces women to bear the financial and health risks of living with contraceptives. Developing and promoting more reversible and varied contraceptives for men would allow them greater access to their reproductive choices.
This lack of research for male contraceptives can be seen as medically misogynistic.
What is medical misogyny? Medical misogyny refers to the ways in which healthcare systems and medical research have historically undervalued, ignored, or mistreated women’s health needs. This has played a part in why birth control options have mainly focused on women and why men’s involvement has been limited.
For many years, medical research has prioritized men’s bodies and experiences, leaving women’s health understudied. When it comes to birth control, women have always been expected to bear the physical and emotional burdens of contraception, which have negative effects due to a lack of research. Meanwhile, there has been less investment in developing safe, effective, and reversible birth control options for men.
Addressing medical misogyny means recognizing these biases and working to create more healthcare solutions. By including men more in birth control discussions and options, we challenge outdated ideas and promote equality in reproductive health.
Pushing birth control into men’s hands is not just about expanding options but about promoting equality, putting in an effort to reduce medical misogyny, handing responsibility, and providing better health for everyone involved. Society benefits when both men and women share the responsibility of contraceptives, making it a collective effort rather than a gendered one.
