This chapter explains why male contraceptives are important at the individual level as well as the whole society. By introducing the impact of male contraceptives on people and the planet, and by clarifying related myths and facts, we provide more insight into this topic.
Chapter 1:
Importance of Male Contraception
Key Points/Learning Objectives
- The impact and benefits of male contraception to the world
- The impact of male contraception and how it aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- The fact that everyone, not only men, needs male contraception
In this short animated film, we explore how everyone benefits from male birth control methods, and not just men!
Sustainability Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”, and were set up by the United Nations to be achieved by the year 2030. The question is –“How increasing male contraceptive options can have a impact to the world?” Reminding us of the Six Degree of Kevin Bacon game (What Does Contraception Have to Do With Kevin Bacon?), we could actually connect contraception to global impact on health, including the environment, gender equity, education, or any other number of issues we currently face as a global community, within six steps (or even less)!
In this section, we provide a connection between each of the 17 SDGs and male contraception. Through this, we illustrate the potential, incredibly positive impact that new methods of male birth control can have in achieving our shared sustainability goals.
Click on any image to learn how male contraception will help us achieve it:
Male Contraceptive Initiative supports the Sustainable Development Goals.
Who wants male contraception?
You might be questioning – “We already have existing contraceptive methods for female, why do we still need male contraception?” Here are some reasons why people need male contraception, and the demand is found through our consumer research.
Consumer Research Study
Male Contraceptive Initiative led a study to identify unmet needs and satisfaction with current contraceptive methods among a sample of men across key market segments.
To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest survey in the United States in the last ten years exclusive to sexually active men ages 18-44 to better understand their attitudes, needs and motivations regarding the future of male contraception as a family planning method.
Summary:
There is substantial opportunity for male contraceptives to positively contribute to the benefits of family planning and improved quality of life for all people. More than eight in ten men aged 18-44 surveyed in the U.S. are currently trying to prevent a pregnancy. This could translate to 17 million men looking for new forms of contraception that meet their needs and those of the relationship they are in. Of these 17 million men, 8.1 million are very likely to use new male methods, and 5.6 million are somewhat likely to do so.
Key Findings:
- 85% of participants want to prevent their partner from getting pregnant
- 82% of men whose partners experienced an unplanned pregnancy in the past are interested in new methods of male contraception
- Men are twice as likely to prefer a non-hormonal method (80%) to a hormonal method (38%)
- 89% of men report it’s important for their contraceptive method to be reversible
- Eight in ten men say that it is very or somewhat important for a contraceptive method to protect against STDs
Men are most interested in a non-hormonal pill and other forms of non-hormonal contraception that are safe, effective, and reversible.
Here is a MCI Lemonade Stand that helps viewers develop a deeper understanding of people’s needs on male contraception:
Memes
Video Game: Swimmer
An Introduction to MCI
We are a small nonprofit based in Durham, North Carolina, in the US. We raise funds to support the research community in their efforts to develop the next generation of male contraception, and we provide advocacy and outreach support to help ensure people are thinking and talking about male birth control methods.
Overview
In this short animated film, we share our hopeful vision for the future (Reproductive autonomy for all!) while framing the need and demand for new methods of male contraception.
In this short animated film, we provide an overview of our vision & mission: to empower men, and couples, to fully contribute to family planning goals by providing them the resources they need for reproductive autonomy.
Vision and Mission
