Someone told me that this should be in GQ instead of GD, so I’m putting it here. I’ve always wondered why scientists have never developed ‘the pill’ for males. It seems like it would be easier to sterilize one part of a guy then it is too mess up a womans whole system. Anyway, I think it would be easier. Anyway, I want to know WHERE’S MY PILL?
Although I wouldn’t advise taking that deep breath prior to holding it yet,…It’s comin’. Soon Grasshopper, very soon.
http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/men/09/04/male.contraception/
Checkmate, I have closed your thread in Great Debates. For future reference, please e-mail a moderator to request that your thread be moved, rather than to open a new one in a different forum.
bibliophage,
moderator, GQ
But don’t expect chicks to believe you when you say “I’m on the pill,” you little Johnny Appleseeds
I was unaware
Duh…it’s because most scientists are guys, & know that y’all do NOT want to deal with the fun side effects that come with messing up your hormones. How would you like to cry for no reason once a month? Or have your boobs hurt so bad you have to tie them up with an Ace bandage before you can go for a jog? Or gain ten unwanted pounds? Not that you guys would have the same side effects, because a pill for guys would have to work differently…but I bet the side effects would be just as entertaining & cool.
Duh…it’s because most scientists are guys, & know that y’all do NOT want to deal with the fun side effects that come with messing up your hormones.
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I’d be perfecty willing to take some of the stress off of my SO, and to have some extra protection. No Kids for me right now.
How would you like to cry for no reason once a month?
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Typical guy. I don’t think I’d have any problems here.
Or have your boobs hurt so bad you have to tie them up with an Ace bandage before you can go for a jog?
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No boobs here.
Or gain ten unwanted pounds?
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Well… maybe some boobs here. I can live with 10 lbs. That’s nothing on a guy my size (6’2", 210 already)
Not that you guys would have the same side effects, because a pill for guys would have to work differently…
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From reading a couple of those sties above, from what they have, it seems that typical side effects will be light acne, light wieght gain, and (very rare) he-titties.
but I bet the side effects would be just as entertaining & cool.
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Women put up with them. What makes you think a dedicated guy wouldn’t?
[Edited by bibliophage on 08-29-2001 at 03:55 PM]
I’m dead curious to see how quickly birth rates and marrage rates plummet after a simple, dependable male birth control pill is released.
I posted this in the GD thread that was closed so I suppose I’ll just move it on over here.
This is just one site of many describing a male birth control ‘pill’. I use the quotes because the method, in addition to taking a pill, also requires a testosterone pellet to be implanted in the man’s body (in the article they say that testosterone cannot be taken orally because the liver renders it useless). The study is preliminary but effectiveness was encouraging.
That said I have worked in the reproductive health field and women seemingly don’t care very much for the male contraceptive. They don’t have a problem with it per se but they do not trust men enough to be responsible for taking a pill every day (not to mention some who might lie about it to avoid using a condom). Given that women are the ones who are saddled with the results of failed contraception most women would just as soon keep the birth control reigns firmly in their own hands. About the only exception to this would be in committed relationships where presumably the female could have more faith in her SO’s pill taking habits.
Reminds me of the old joke:
You heard of the new birth-control pill for men?
It changes your blood type.
How come I don’t get this joke?
You take it the MORNING AFTER and it changes your blood type.
(blood test to determine the father leaves you scot-frre)
A reliable birth control pill for men has been “just around the corner” for at least a decade now. That’s one mighty long corner.
The problem lies with the fundamental difference between the female and male reproductive processes. Women can only get pregnant when there is an egg that can be fertilized. An egg is released once a month. Therefore, preventing pregnancy means interfering with something that happens once a month.
Men, on the other hand, are producing fertile sperm every minute, all day, all night, every day of the year. Preventing pregnancy means stopping a continuous process.
Duh, my ass.
As a guy scientist I just hate hearing this excuse. As if guy scientists were only interested in doing research that benefitted guys. IIRC, there is much more breast cancer research going on in this country than prostate, penile or testicular cancer research. So much for looking out for ourselves, eh?
I suppose that if there was a male pill but no female pill, the “rationale” would be that guy scientists are not interested in giving any kind reproductive control to women. bleh.
Anyway the reason is pretty much as flod said. AFAIK, it’s easier to biochemically control a cyclical process than reversively prevent a continuous one.
Guy Scientist was my favorite muppet, by the way.
I was bering a bit flippant there…& I chuckled at “if there was a male pill but no female pill, the “rationale” would be that guy scientists are not interested in giving any kind of reproductive control to women”, because that’s EXACTLY what I’d say. Women…you just can’t make 'em happy.
On a more serious note, I’ve thought about this some more & the Pill for women hormonally tricks their bodies into believing that they are in a state where no eggs will be released…I don’t think there’s a corresponding state for men. Y’all can release sperm any old time, even well into your old age. It would have to be more complicated because you couldn’t just mimic the hormones of a natural state.
& I got nothing against guy scientists…my dad is one, & I think he’s pretty cool.
Look’s like Alpha’s right.
Not that I was doubting it in any way. Heaven forfend! Just wanted brown-nose a bit.