244 Words on Why Men Need The Pill

It’s about time men got in touch with their hormones

By Jonathan Bender
Published: Apr 29, 2008

Men have had very few responsibilities when it comes to pregnancy (with one very obvious recent exception).

That could all change next year with the possible introduction of a male birth control pill in the United States- an injection or patch once every 12 months that acts as an impermanent vasectomy. You can now quit smoking and avoid being a baby daddy all in one visit. It’s about time science caught up to the changing gender roles.

Since the days of shepherds, men have been satisfied with the idea that carrying a condom abdicates them of any other action with regards to prevention and until now that was a socially accepted position. The only thing that changed was condoms became wallet-sized and flavored- one of which was a good choice by the condom manufacturers. In my gender’s defense, there weren’t a whole lot of options on the table because the rhythm method is how my generation came into the world.

But good sir, you ask, certainly this pill must have some downside? Apparently, the major side effects for men on the pill are weight gain, primarily in muscle mass, and a lowering of the good cholesterol. But hey who doesn’t like bigger pecs?

Going forward the hotel bar pick up will have a delightfully different spin. So next year when a guy says, “Don’t worry, I’m on the pill,” you can relax because it is not of the little blue variety.

Jonathan Bender is a freelance journalist living in Kansas City, Missouri, with three ladies of three different species. http://web.mac.com/jonathanbender

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