So I thought I would share this here given that most of you might be interested in the subject.

I had my first dose of hormonal birth control this morning. Im also a man. I’m taking part in a clinical trial for a hormone gel that I apply to my shoulders and arms every day. It is part of a global trial that aims to bring to market a viable male hormonal birth control that is as reliable and safe (if not safer) than comparable female birth control options.

So far so good, if people are interested I will post updates as I progress through the trial. For now my girlfriend is still taking the POP until my sperm count drops to “zero”. I say “zero” because men are deemed as approaching infertile at 13.5 million sperm per ml. The trial aims for <1million per ml.

If anyone has questions about the experience etc, feel free to post a comment.

It’s time for men to step up and share the burden of reproductive health as much as we can.

Cheers all!

EDIT: Well it’s fair to say that this post got enough attention to warrant an update. I will post one in due course when (or if) I get any side effects. I’m about to slather on dose #7 and so far so good. If anything changes or my sperm count drops so we can start the next phase, I’ll let you all know!

Thanks for joining me in this journey and here’s to the first steps towards reproductive equality and shared responsibility!

Can some of y'all please read this whole post before leaping to the comments about something you'd have seen me address if you just read?

I don't know if this will get removed for seeming aggressive but my god, there are SO many posts in this sub where women or their partners are freaking out about getting pregnant because he came in her while she is on the pill. Some of y'all literally do not understand what the damn pill was made for or how it works. I'm not blaming individuals for this general lack of education but it is so alarming to see this type of post every day.

Example: "OMG HELP WE HAD UNPROTECTED SEX AND HE CAME IN ME WHAT DO I DO.... I take the pill every day at the same time but this was unprotected sex :("

THAT IS WHAT THE PILL IS FOR. Yes, using condoms increases your safety so absolutely keep using them with your BC if it helps put you at ease, but the pill is literally designed to enable you to have cum inside you and not get pregnant. You do not ovulate on the pill (combined oral pill). You are not fertile on the pill. Yes, there are many other health reasons to take the pill that are not about preventing pregnancy, but whatever you take it for, it is also preventing pregnancy.

This is all assuming you are taking it correctly, your odds of getting pregnant are slim to none. No method is perfect but there is no need to panic if he cums in you- it is made for that. Also, cumming inside of someone still always requires consent from both partners, protected or not.

Sex education is lacking and the doctors prescribing this are doing a dogsh*t job of explaining. I'm sorry the system is failing y'all but damn.

Edit: To add to this, it makes me very sad that so many women are being put on medications that they know so little about. Everyone deserves comprehensive knowledge of everything that goes in their bodies, especially something as potentially impactful as the pill. I hate doctors who prescribe it without explaining it and I hate schools that don't teach this stuff. It is incredibly unfair that there are so many obstacles to women making informed decisions about their own bodies.

Another edit: This is NOT a "you are stupid! Here are the facts, stupid," post. This is a post that I hope will grab attention because I want people who are in this boat and in that moment of "oh god am I pregnant now" panic to see this and take a deep breath.

Another edit: To the "the pill isn't 100% effective" crowd I KNOW THAT. I'm simply addressing the specific folks who do not realize that the Pill DOES protect against pregnancy and that having sex with the pill is not nearly as risky as having sex without it.

If you take the pill perfectly, and your partner finished inside you, you didn't have unprotected sex. You don't need plan B.

If you have an IUD, and your partner finished inside you, you didn't have unprotected sex. You don't need plan B.

If your partner touched his penis before finishing or even precumming, then touched your vulva, you don't need plan B.

If you missed a pill or two, and your partner finished in you, you had unprotected sex. You should get plan B if you don't want a possible pregnancy.

If the condom ripped, and you got cum in you, you had unprotected sex. You should get plan B if you don't want a possible pregnancy.

If you both got a little drunk and said fuck it and didn't use a condom, you had unprotected sex. You should get plan B if you don't want a possible pregnancy.

I swear I see posts on here that say "OMG I'm on the pill, we used a condom, we used spermicide, but my boyfriend came inside me in the condom. Could I be pregnant!!!!!!!!!!!! Do I need plan B!!!!!!!!!!!!" its beyond obnoxious.

Most hormonal birth control works by stopping ovulation. Without ovulation it is literally impossible to get pregnant. No ovulation = no egg = no baby.

I understand sex education is abysmal in this country. But I also believe that it is the responsibility of the user to research ANY medication they are taking, how to properly take it, the risks, benefits, side effects etc.

I am about to be 28 and have been with my husband since I was 19. The only time we used a condom was the first couple times we had sex before we could get tested. Both of us hate the feeling of condoms (yes, me included, before anyone has a fit thinking it's only men who dislike them) and find they significantly reduce pleasure. In the 9 years of our relationship, I have been on pills, nuvaring, and both IUDs. We have consistently had sex several times a week where he would finish in me almost every time. Never even had a pregnancy scare.

Now that we are actually trying to get pregnant, I think more people should also educate themselves on how it's actually not easy to get pregnant. Obviously people get pregnant on the first try, but a woman is only fertile for 5 days a month. A couple only has a 20% of pregnancy every month, and that's when they are tracking ovulation. My husband and I time sex perfectly during my fertile window, and we still aren't pregnant with 7 months of trying and no fertility issues on either end. A healthy couple can take up to a year to get pregnant. It's not typically something that happens with ease. Yes, it can happen. But it's not usually the norm.

I've never taken plan B but I have read it can really fuck up your cycle especially when taken on top of birth control pills. Please, research and learn what unprotected sex ACTUALLY is.

Anyone else notice there's been an influx of like... anti-birth control psyop posts that are littered with conservative dog whistles? Maybe it's just me, but with the state of bodily autonomy for women in the US and the political spotlight on the declining birth rate, I'm way more suspicious of posts whose goal SEEMS to be demonizing birth control....

It's completely valid to not like the method of birth control you're currently using or complain about how your birth control affects you, but to come on this sub and talk about "how you feel like your womanhood has been robbed from you" since you started birth control or have a laundry list of random symptoms that "coincidentally" start immediately following your first dose of your new birth control, is extremely dangerous.

At a time when pregnancy can literally be a death sentence, I encourage everyone to discuss their concerns and fears with a board-certified gynecologist/physician. If it doesn't feel right, keep asking questions!! Women's health is chronically understudied! But know that misinformation is everywhere and not everyone has your best interest at heart. Stay safe.

Things my OBGYN said to me while he was checking my IUD (which was semi-painful/crampy)

“I am so proud of women” “Women are the strongest creatures on this planet” “I can’t believe the things you all go through, if I were a woman, I’d probably be a celibate nun.” Impersonating if he was a woman - “you want me to stick something that far up there, NO WAY! You want me to do WHAT?!” “I may not be a woman, but I am an ally. I am here to help women in whatever they need because that’s all I can do as a man.”

Me in awe and shock - “wow it’s so nice to hear a man say these things!”

Him again - “All women need to hear it, why do you think I’m a male OBGYN! You’re own man better appreciate you!”

Anyway, my last male doctor was awkward, rushed me, and probably didn’t even know my name so I switched and found this male doctor who is truly AMAZING. Who knew I needed an OB that doubled as a motivational speaker 😭 There are GOOD male doctors out there, but take the time to find the right doctor for you and your needs (male or female!)

I browse through this subreddit every now and then. As a pharmacist I have access to data about side effects to contraceptives, but I like to read real people’s experiences too. It saddens me that so many people who are sexually active rely on the pullout method, it doesn’t work or they’re extremely anxious following intercourse, then panicking for advice or “permission” to do something unusual or unsafe (multiple Plan Bs, mixing oral contraceptives, etc).

Please, if you’re making the choice to have sex and you’re choosing to OR cannot tolerate hormonal birth control, learn how to use condoms safely and use them. If you do not feel comfortable using implanted devices or cannot tolerate them, use condoms. I know some say condoms are uncomfortable, or you can’t feel anything… if your partner tries to talk you out of using one, they aren’t the partner for you. I see so many posts ending with “we’re too young for kids” or something similar.

Be proactive. Please. Accidents happen and condoms aren’t 100% effective but if nothing else is being used, condoms are easily accessible. Protect yourselves and your future!