Largest Study of its Kind Offers New Hope for Gender Equity in Contraceptive Responsibility and Reducing Unintended Pregnancies

A landmark multi-country study has uncovered unprecedented global demand for novel male contraceptives. Spanning six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and the United States, this study—the largest of its kind—surveyed 18,748 men and 9,122 of their female partners. The results indicate a robust latent demand for new male contraceptive methods, with the potential to reshape reproductive health and contraception worldwide.

Key Findings of the Landmark Study: 

• 61% of men expressed interest in trying novel male contraceptives which are currently being developed within the first year of availability, with demand highest in Nigeria and Bangladesh, where 76% of men were eager to try these methods.
• In the U.S., the study recorded a notable increase in demand following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, with willingness to use male contraceptives rising from 39% to 49% within the first year of availability.
• The study revealed that the highest projected "will ever use" novel male contraceptives reached 98% in Vietnam, while in the U.S., interest increased from 78% (pre-Dobbs) to 82% (post-Dobbs), demonstrating significant long-term potential for adoption.
• Women across all surveyed regions demonstrated high levels of trust in their male partners' use of contraceptives to protect them from pregnancy, with 85% of women in Bangladesh and 86% in Vietnam expressing confidence—answering the key question of whether women would trust their partners to effectively manage contraception to protect them.

Time to Trial for a Male Contraceptive

A Decades-Long Gap Filled: Relevance to 20 Years of Male Contraceptive Research
This landmark study fills a crucial gap in research that has spanned more than two decades. Previous studies, such as those reviewed by Reynolds-Wright et al., found a third or more of men willing to use male contraceptives, but those assessments were often limited to hypothetical scenarios without specific product details. The current study, which based its questionnaire on potential products currently being developed, not only surpasses earlier efforts in scope and geographic reach but also provides granular insights into men’s preferences for product attributes, marking a significant step forward for the field.

Post-Dobbs Decision: Urgent Relevance for Male Contraceptive Development
The 2022 Dobbs decision, which overturned the constitutional right to abortion in the U.S., has had sweeping consequences for reproductive health. As the legal landscape has changed, so has the demand for contraceptives. The study’s findings, gathered both before and after the decision, underscore the urgency for new male contraceptives. With restricted access to abortion, novel male methods offer an opportunity to reduce unintended pregnancies and the need for abortions, benefiting both women and men by sharing contraceptive responsibilities more equitably.

Potential for Gender Equity and Improved Relationship Dynamics
With over 218 million women in LMICs lacking access to modern contraceptives, and nearly half of all pregnancies classified as unintended, the development of male contraceptives could shift the burden of contraception to a more balanced approach. The study shows that both men and women want this shift, which has the potential to improve reproductive outcomes, reduce unintended pregnancies, and foster healthier relationship dynamics by equalizing contraceptive responsibility.

A Call for Investment in Male Contraceptive Innovation
​With more than 23 male contraceptive products currently in development, including several in human clinical trials, the study calls on global health leaders, funders, and policymakers to invest in advancing these innovations. The data provides compelling evidence that male contraceptives can address significant unmet needs, enhance gender equity, and contribute to reducing unintended pregnancies and abortions worldwide.

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For further inquiries, please contact:
Steve Kretschmer: [email protected] or Sabey Boswell: [email protected]

This study was generously funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Male Contraceptive Initiative.

About the Authors: Japneet Kaur is a consultant at Alstonia Impact in Bangalore, India and Dhananjay Vaidyanathan Rohini is Founder and Partner at Alstonia Impact, based in New Delhi, India. LinChiat Chang and Allie Gugliotti are independent data scientists in Cape Town, South Africa and Maryland, USA respectively, and Steve Kretschmer is the Founder and Executive Director of DesireLine, based in Istanbul, Turkey.

About Male Contraceptive Initiative: Male Contraceptive Initiative’s vision is “Reproduction Autonomy for All”, and works to accomplish this by bringing new male contraceptives to market. The non-profit accomplishes this through direct funding, technical support, research, and advocacy. MCI believes that couples deserve options and that they offer the biggest potential impact by focusing on male contraceptives. It’s time men are given more opportunities to contribute toward family planning. To learn more, please visit: https://www.malecontraceptive.org/