Male Birth Control Perspectives Survey Report

MCI conducts surveys to help us understand the perceptions of potential male contraceptive users. Gathering these perspectives helps us as an organization understand what potential consumers are looking for, and how people think about male contraception.

A recent survey of perspectives from stakeholders and potential users of male contraception gave us insights on what respondents are looking for in potential methods, and how new methods would affect gender and relationship dynamics and reproductive autonomy. Here, we share some of the main takeaways from that survey.

Methods
There were 244 respondents to the survey at the time of analysis, which was distributed through MCI’s newsletter and through the Parsemus Foundation listserv. Most were potential users (75%, presumably men) and partners of potential users (7%, presumably women). Most of the remaining respondents were people working in the field: in R&D, academia, and funding. Though there were respondents representing every continent in the world, most were from North America and Europe (64% and 27%, respectively).

Male Birth Control User Perspectives: Key Findings

• People overwhelmingly want more male contraception options.
• Respondents want specific characteristics in new methods.
• There are familiar methods, and people express waiting specifically for these methods.
• Respondents think that men should either be as involved as or more involved than women in family planning.
• Different organizations need to be involved in making male contraceptives more available, the involvement of health and healthcare organizations is important, and more funding and research is needed.
• Having more male contraceptive options would help relationship and gender equality, would require men to carry more responsibility, and would help men have more reproductive autonomy.
• Marketing, publicity, and education is important to help people understand male contraception.

Among respondents, there is a clear desire for more methods of male contraception: 97% of respondents say that there is a need for additional male contraception. Respondents also think that men should be involved in family planning: 96% of respondents think that men should either be as involved as women in family planning or more involved than women in family planning (85% believe that men and women should be equally involved, whereas 11% believe that men should take a lead role).

The four main themes identified from this survey are:

• Specific characteristics for a potential method that respondents desire 
  Respondents have specific ideas about what types of birth control will work for them, and the attributes that they hope for or would require in order to use a specific method.
  “low-cost, non-hormonal, reversible…”
• Relationship and gender equality 
  Respondents recognize that women have many more options than them and want to take the burden off of, or share the burden with, women in general or a specific woman (e.g., their partner).
  “I would like to be able to shoulder the burden of contraception for my marriage so my wife doesn’t have to suffer through all the painful, uncomfortable methods she’s tried.”
• Reproductive autonomy, control, and responsibility
  Respondents want reproductive autonomy and express that men should be able to take more responsibility for contraception.
  “My vision is that everyone is given the chance to be fully in charge of their fertility.”
• Named methods (Vasalgel, RISUG, or temporary/reversible vasectomy)
  Respondents recognize some methods more than others, and express the specific ones that they want, though they often seem unclear on why their preferred method is not available.
  “I hope vasagel [sic] becomes a reality.”

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How do respondents think we can make male birth control a reality? Respondents say availability of a method is important, and education, information dissemination, and marketing is needed as well. They think that men and women both need to be included in the male contraceptive conversation, and that more funding and research and testing are important.

What’s MCI doing?
We agree with respondents that we need method availability! We fund researchers developing male contraceptive methods, and also catalyze conversations around expanded male birth control options. We’re bringing it to the market, and making sure that the market is ready for it. Stay engaged with us and what we’re working on this site, as well as on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram.