A few years ago, when I first became sexually active, I used the emergency morning-after pill and I have no evidence of this, but it affected my period.

I used to get heavy flows, especially on the first day, but after that, I started getting mere drops as the first flow. I used this pill just once.

Now, imagine what birth control does to women who have to use it every day. And no, I don’t mean the emergency after pill, I mean the regular birth control many women take every day to avoid pregnancy, amongst other things. It has many side effects.

When most people think of birth control options, women immediately come to mind. Pills, patches, injections, and intrauterine devices (IUDs) are some of the most common methods women use to prevent pregnancy. But while these methods are effective, they often come with serious side effects. That’s why it’s important to start discussing why men should also explore more birth control options.

A Short Lesson on Birth Control Options

According to the Office of U.S. Women’s Health, birth control—also known as contraception—is any method, medicine, or device used to prevent pregnancy. There are several birth control options available today, including:

• Birth control pills
• IUDs (intrauterine devices)
• Implants
• Patches
• Emergency birth control pills

While these methods are effective, many of them alter hormones and affect the ovulation cycle. Beyond preventing pregnancy, women sometimes use birth control to lighten periods, reduce cramps, or lower the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

However, most hormonal birth control options come with side effects such as weight gain, bloating, heavy cramps, nausea, sore breasts, and in rare cases, serious complications like blood clots or stroke. This is why medical advice is essential before choosing any contraceptive method.

Why Men Should Also Explore Birth Control Options

Biologically, women can only get pregnant during a small window each month and usually carry one baby a year. Men, however, produce sperm daily and can impregnate multiple partners in the same timeframe. This makes it logical to encourage men to consider more birth control options rather than placing the burden solely on women.

Currently, men have fewer but effective options:

• Condoms – which not only prevent pregnancy but also protect against sexually transmitted infections.
• Vasectomy – a minor surgical procedure that cuts or seals the tubes carrying sperm. It is quick, safe, highly effective, and in some cases reversible.

Encouraging men to use these birth control options would reduce the pressure on women, while also promoting shared responsibility in family planning.

The Future of Male Birth Control Options

There is growing hope that men will soon have more choices. As of last year, a non-hormonal, male oral contraceptive that blocks a vitamin A metabolite to stop sperm production passed initial human safety trials in 2024 and 2025, with results suggesting it is safe, well-tolerated, and doesn’t affect natural hormone levels. This has raised expectations that new birth control options for men may soon be available. If successful, this could balance the responsibility between partners and reduce the health risks women face from long-term hormonal contraceptive use.

Final Thoughts
For decades, the focus on birth control has been almost entirely on women. But as research progresses, it’s becoming clear that men should also take more responsibility. From condoms to vasectomies, and soon possibly male contraceptive pills, men now have opportunities to share in this responsibility and support healthier, more balanced relationships.