The birth control process is not a new method. From 60 years ago people have been known how to use birth control pills. Due to the birth control method, the pressure of population growth can be reduced to some extent. Despite thousands of inconsistencies, couples worldwide are using this method today. However, despite technological improvements, there are some limitations to this method.
Most of the birth control methods are female-centric. The amount of method for men is very low. However, the researchers are working on different types of birth control methods suitable for men. Significant changes may occur in the birth control system if their research and experiments are successful. In this article, I try to explain about the contraceptive method.
What is the birth control system?
It is such a procedure, that by taking the procedure, a man and a woman do not get pregnant even after regular sexual intercourse. The pregnancy process is prevented by these methods. In these methods, the sperm of men is prevented from mixing with the woman's ovary or preventing the fertilized egg from reaching the uterus. In addition to this procedure, there are many more procedures for birth control.
There are two types of birth control methods. One is permanent methods and the other is temporary methods. Temporary methods are mainly limited to condoms for men. There are different types of methods for birth control pills, progesterone only pill, IUD, patch, implant etc. for women. Some of them work for a short time, and some work for a long time.
Vasectomy operation is done for men in a permanent manner so that the path from the testicle to sperm urethra (urinary tract) is cut and for women, there is tuberculosis operation, in which the road to the fallopian tube is closed.
Problem Of This Method
By the type of birth control methods, it has been understood that all the work done in the progress of it was women-centric. So women have to face more than their problems. To prevent pregnancy every woman take a lot of birth control pills. but the Intra-Uterine Device or IUD method is very painful for women. Moreover, it works through hormones, there is a risk of different side effects including high blood pressure, nausea, headache.
As opposed to, if men are using condoms they may have an unplanned pregnancy or if they take the vasectomy method they will not be able to take children easily. It protects against pregnancy permanently.
Possibility Of This Method
Researchers have been working for a long time to reduce the pressure on birth control on women. For this reason, it was necessary to find an easy-to-use method for men. For that purpose, a test has started in late November. By this method, there use a type of gel used for men, which will serve as a regulator. In the examination, 420 young and healthy couples will be monitored for 20 weeks. However, the type of work in this gel will be a little different.
The gel formulation, known as NES/T, includes the sex hormone compound segesterone acetate and its brand name Nestorone, it together with androgen. This gel is mainly composed of progestin and testosterone hormones. Progestin is a type of medication which is used most commonly in hormonal birth control and menopausal hormone therapy. The sex hormone blocks natural androgen production within the testes, reducing spermatozoon production to low or nonexistent levels and the replacement testosterone maintains other functions depending on normal sex drive and hormone adequate blood volume. Progestin is already being used as a regulator for women. It is an artificial form of progesterone hormone in the female body. It controls ovulation and pregnancy
This component reduces the number of sperm in the male body and at the same time reduces testosterone levels. In this, some side effects may occur in the body of the male and they are acne in the skin, weight gain, decreasing sexual desire etc. Hormone emission decreases when testosterone is given from the outside. At the same time, sperm production also decreased.
The gel made from a mixture of progestin and testosterone hormones. This gel applied to the back and shoulders and absorbed through the skin. From there it will be absorbed through the skin and start working. The tests will be conducted in nine locations in seven countries around the world. The countries are - United States, United Kingdom, Chile, Italy, Kenya, Scotland, and Sweden.
Initially, the United States has started this only Seattle, California, and Kansas. This method will be used in the first 20 weeks with other birth control systems. After the number of sperm decreases, couples will be asked to use only this gel for the next year. Then they will stop using the gel. Then six more months will be observed. At this time it will be seen that if the number of sperm has no effect on returning to the normal condition.
NIH is sponsoring the whole research process. The National Institute of Health (NIH) is a part of the US health and human services. The Population Council is working together with them. They are a nonprofit international non-government organization. It will take up to 2022 to finish this research process. Because after successful it will be tested on thousands of more people. Then there will be approval from the Food and Drug Administration or the FDA. So there are still many ways to go.
Criticism Of This Method
In the announcement of this new process for the men, women will be praised and apologized by social media. Some say that to control birth, they have to endure any pain and suffering in their processes. As opposed to, only for the men to use gel. They expressed their anger because they were discriminated against.
A woman Twitter user wrote, "why men should be used on their shoulders only for birth control? No, they have also to eat pill every night like us, take injections and use implants method."
Other women say they want a comfortable gel for women because her wounds caused by birth control methods. But the good news for them is that many researchers working to discovers something similar for women.
As opposed to, there are some doubts about this method. It is not possible for anyone to apply this gell to the back and shoulders. If her female partner helps by applying the gel, then it is not certain whether women will be harmed due to that hormone. That's why only after applying gel, the hands have been advised to wash well.
Again, there is a debate about whether it will reduce condom use. Because condoms do not control birth only, it also prevents sexually transmitted diseases. Moreover, it is not fair weather all men can use this gel properly. So it is important to work with the restrictions as well as its limitations.
Finality
There is a lot of potential for men in this new system, but should not expect much more about it now. Because earlier, there was much hope for the birth control pills for men, which did not work. But we have to try to continue it. If overall successful, there will be big changes in the birth control system.
References for further reading about this Article
The First Clinical Trial of a Male Birth Control Gel Is Under Way
The Guttmacher Institute. Publicly funded family planning services in the United States. 2016
NIH to evaluate effectiveness of male contraceptive skin gel
The US Department of Health and Human Services. Effectiveness of family planning methods. 2011
All above the images which used in this article, they are free for commercial use and royalty free. The original links of images I also provided under them
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