the Male Pill?

[Anita Blake]

cbc article (http://www.cbc.ca/story/science/national/2006/04/28/pill-male060428.html)



Prototypes of the male "pill" contain the hormone androgen or androgen in combination with progestin. The contraceptives are designed to stop sperm production, similar to the way hormone therapies can suppress ovulation in women. ...
Men participating in the trials reported minimal side-effects, such as acne. Some who had pellets implanted in their arms had difficulty retrieving the pellet once they wanted the contraception to stop.

One potential road block to getting a male contraception on the market is the pharmaceutical industry in the U.S., which doesn't see a big payoff, said Prof. David Handelsman, director of the ANZAC Research Institute.

OK, what are your thoughts on this? Personally, i think it's about time that men start doing something about their raging sperm. I think it's a great step forward for mankind. i find it difficult to believe that the US pharmaceutical industry doesn't think it'll be a big thing. i for one think women would step forward in droves to get their men on the pill. after all, it's about time that men understand what messing with one's hormones it really like. ;) but it's pretty cool that something's being done to put men in control of their reproduction without the laborious use of rubber.

[Eyreplenh]

Personally, ever since my grandmas cat developed cancer from using "the pill", I've been totally freaked out when it comes to messing with hormones and the body in general. I'm real paranoid when it comes to medicine in general, and has never even used painkillers since I was old enough to refuse .However, I know the pill is a great relief to people in relationships etc., and then, yeah, why shouldn't we, the guys, do the hard work for once. A couple could do six months each, no? Besides people keep telling me these things are safe, so I think this would be an okey idea. Besides, women have the better memories, and they are the ones that would be pregnant ,so it'll probably be even safer. "Did you remember the pill?" ;)

[Buck]

Oh... MY... GOD!! I have another blackhead!

Oh... MY... GOD!! I LOVE cheesecake!

OH!.. MY... GOD!!! I spilt juice on the carpet!

*reaches for tissues to cry*


Is this what you want to sleep with? Honestly, do you want male hormones being toyed with? Cause I sure as hell don't. It might be funny for a day but I doubt anyone wants to be around an emo guy 24-7 that gets teary eyed during a life insurance commercial.

OH!... MY... GOD!!! I forgot to take my pill!

As the less responsible sex do you want us to be in charge of something like this?


:eyebrow:

[Lyle]

Personally I think Anita Blake is three sandwiches short of a picnic basket but then that is neither here nor there, is it. Odd saying that. One is forced to assume that 'it' is somewhere. And if it isn't here or there...Do you follow?

What I was going to suggest is that instead of this HI-larious proposal, we as a species just stop having sex completely. I mean, come on. It's so messy and uncivilized. We could play scrabble instead. Who's with me?

& hey Buck. That would be awesome, being that emotional I mean. Okay, it's decided. Everyone stops having sex and all men start popping these potential-laden pills.

"OH...MY...GOD! His post is pointless and I've just wasted five minutes of my life reading it! WAAAAAHHH!" :cry:


Show me how that isn't fun. :cool:

[Buck]

Lyle, I was in jest. As funny as it would be to see an emotional change in a male like the above, it isn't going to happen. Men dont have the same type of hormone cycles that women have. We have a near constant level of hormones that change ever so slightly on a 24-hr cycle.

Token Link (http://www.lifescience-zurich.ch/knowledge/askus.asp?id=161&lc=en)

Im guessing this male pill would have minimal effect on our emotions.

[Lyle]

Oh fooey. You jestful types with your not taking things seriously.

*packs up scrabble board and goes in search of more interesting pills*:quirk:

[Buck]

Oh come on Lyle!! Dont get emo on me!

I didnt mean it. Im so sorry.

:cry:

It wasn't my *sniff* :cry: attempt to mislead *sniff* :cry: you like that. This was a *sniff* :cry: betrayal of *sniff* :cry: trust.



;)

[Lyle]

Look. *sniff* I just don't *sniff* feel like this is going to *sniff* work out.


:cry:

Maybe someday :( we can still be friends. You know...*sniff* :cry: ...
once we've regained the trust.

;) :rolleyes:

[Buck]

:(

I guess we arent ready for a commitment yet Lyle. The love is there, but there is no trust. And a lasting relationship without trust just isnt going to work out.

We will always have the Quill.

Farewell.

:love:

[Vivacia]

After the above psilliness...now for something completely different.

I personally wouldn't trust on not getting pregnant because my man was using a male pill. I say that because I am in charge of my reproductive status. I take a pill every day and I have since I was 14. I haven't had any side effects like those above. BUT...I think a male contraceptive is a wonderful idea for MEN. If men would be take some damn responsibility and use a contraceptive thenselves, then they wouldn't have to worry about "acidentally" getting a girl pregnant . I'd think the idea of not having to worry about accidentally creating a human being and having to support said child for 18+ years would be a BIG incentive for men to take the Pill.

[GoodScott]

Hmmm I'm not so sure about this. . .

You woman are also shouting it's my body, I should be in control of what happens to it. Well fine, then you should take control of your own body and your own pill. Talk about selfish. This is just another symbol of woman trying to oppress men. They just want to make up for all the time that men were the head of the household. Next thing you know men will have to be wearing dresses.

(This is all in jest of course. However, what is not so funny is this is more or less where a friend of my roomate stands on the subject. . . .yeesh . . .)

[Anita Blake]

:dozey: i suppose this is why the US pharmaceutical industry isn't all thrilled about it - (north) american people have eerily stupid ideas about male fertility. maybe men just aren't ready to en masse accept altering the content of their bodily fluid discharge. i don't understand why it's acceptable for women to alter their hormones, when as buck as stated, we already have pretty unstable, fluctuating hormone levels, but somehow less acceptable for men to do the same, when their levels are so steady.

also, i should probably note that the male "pill" isn't actually a pill, looks more to be an injection or small implant, probably similar to the norplant.

i just think it would be such a great peace of mind for guys in a relationship who don't want kids to make sure that their girlfriend isn't secretly trying to get pregnant. like that guy who's girlfriend told him she couldn't get pregnant, and that she didn't want kids, but then she got pregnant, kept the kid, and is sueing for child support. that guy probably wishes he had male contraceptives other than condoms. the way i see it, this is a great way for men to reproductive power in their hands, and be able to withhold children from their needy women without the hassle of giving up sex. and they don't even have to tell thier girlfriends. just "oh, sorry honey, low sperm count! guess i'm infertile!"

[GoodScott]

I admit I was skeptical of this at first. The more thought I put into, the more I realized there isnt any rational reason why a guy couldnt do this, other than fear. Girls have lots of pills that alter this kinda stuff. Stuff for mood swings, birth control, etc. Guys aren't experienced with things that affct there mood so they may be weary.

However,I'd still say the woman should take birth control if it was down to one or the other. Thats jsut with the current medication though. Why? Because woman's birth Control has a lot less negative side affects and a lot more beneficial side affects. Thats probably due to working on it for so long. Once they get them square then, I dunno. . . Can't really see why not.

[Anita Blake]

ha! less negative side effects? ha! what about weight gain! and possible change in contact lens prescription! not to mention the added risk of heart disease for smokers (well, they deserve it anyway... ) and most of all, the lack of creativity. OK, i've never actually taken the pill, because it requires that you take a pill at the same time every day and there is no way i could reconcile my life to that kind of consistency, but i've been on other forms of similar hormonal birth control, and increased hunger and decreased creativity are both absolutely horrific and devastating side effects if you ask me. a little acne? fah. men can hack it. they're tough guys, aren't they? hehheh.

[LaughingTurtle]

My take on the whole enchilada…pretty positive all around. I’m of the mind that the more options one has the better. Just because they develop a male pill doesn’t mean Billy-Bob-Joe or Cletus is going to use it, only that it’s out there so that the John Smiths can use it if they so feels inclined to not let fate or the trust they place in their female companion (she “says” she’s on the pill…) dictate whether or not he may become a father.

It takes two to tango so responsibility in an ideal world would be equal. Sadly this is not the case thus giving rise to all the negative side-effects of deadbeat fathers and welfare abusing mothers. I’m pretty sick of men as a whole getting a bad wrap for the stupid ones who plead ignorance when they know exactly what happens when it’s all skeet, skeet, skeet. Lastly, it’s not like they’re forcing men to use it, that’s left up to the gf who’s sick of whacking out her own hormones hehe.

[dark fuschia]

Men's mood aren't affected by their hormones? You've got to be kidding me, men are are just as affected by hormones, its just not cyclic and more reliant on outer stimuli. Testosterone is a beast that must be controlled just as surely as PMS. MORE surely if you ask me.

[Cloric the Cleric]

This is a perfect example of why I'm glad to be gay. *nods* No "OMG I forgot to take my pill" or "Oh, yeah... I stopped taking it a month ago, and just didn't tell you." From either partner. The perfect contraceptive.

;)

It's just not for everyone, I guess. :D

but seriously, were this a concern of mine, I'd so be hoppin on the bandwagon to do this. I like the idea of the ability to control my own procreation, and not leave it to the whims of a condom or a hyper-emotional partner.


CTC

[GoodScott]

Ok as far as the side affects on the woman's pills. . . do you know the percentages of the woman that actually get those side affects? I know atleast 6 girls who are on the pill, and only one had a complaint (it was aggrivating her already severe depression). Most of them love it. They can control their menstral cycle, it clears up acne, reduces the chances of migrains, and lots of other things. Weight Gain? Rare, especially when your considering its woman taking it and they are anal about their weight. Not to mention the fact you know woman would get all in a huf if guys didnt take care of themselves and got acne when they didnt have it before. If you say otherwise your either a saint, or kidding yourself.

[dark fuschia]

Probably about half the women I've spoken to about it hate it Goodscott, but consider it a nessesary evil. And I mean really hate it, as in it makes them lose intensity of purpose and feeling (similar to Anita describing loss of creativity), slows the metabolism, so theres not only weight gain but lower energy levels. I've had a few friends agree that it reduces the desire and enjoyment of sex, and even a doctor will tell you this is not an unheard of effect. Well a doctor told me so when we spoke about it. But its also a personal thing and not something that comes up in every day conversation. I don't know what exact stats are. But yeah, its also just uncool to complain about something which our society sees as a requirement for living just as surely as clothes.

Also Goodscott, are you implying women would love to take on the burden of the pill so that they might avoid having to see their boyfriends with acne? Are you also implying, boyfriends will graciously allow their girlfriends the burden of the pill, to save those said girlfriends, the terrible burden of seeing them with acne... lol :) Don't take this the wrong way, but I am so glad I don't live in your world. :)

[Buck]

I thought female 'pill' prevented acne?

:eyebrow:

[GoodScott]

It does Buck. As far as the acne thing, that was kinda a joke.

The symptoms very from brand to brand also. That also needs to be taken into account with side effects. Anyhow, I am just saying AS IS the female pill seems the lesser of two evils I guess.

[AquaFizz]

Yeh...didnt we have a thread a few months ago about a guy who claimed his GF said she was on the pill and wound up pregnant and he didn't want responsibility for it? (maybe that was another board...I don't think so, but I'm too lazy to look)

I think this is a great way for guys to cover their asses. Just like with Birth Control. I don't know many girls who are on the pill for the guy-they're on it for themselves. This is a way for guys to do something for themselves.

And, yeh, I disagree with you, Scott. The side effects are important. You're girls are just lucky. As some of the girls know, I've been trying to figure out the BC options for awhile, and I've heard a LOT of complains about the pill. :quirk: Scarey!