Society is failing women because men are not as strong!

This week we learned that there is a very effective male injection birth control being tested and though it is very successful, the trial has now been stopped because simply put, men can’t deal with even half the side effects women are expected too! 

Women have had the burden of preventing pregnancy for as long as we have been having sex. Ever since 1962 when the pill form of birth control came out women have been dealing with the side effects.

• Intermenstrual spotting.
• Nausea.
• Breast tenderness.
• Headaches.
• Weight gain.
• Skin Changes.
• Pain.
• Mood changes.
• Missed periods.
• Decreased libido.
• Depression.
• Increase risks of cancer.
• Increase chance of stroke.

It is about time that our society puts some of the responsibility on men. This is one of the reasons that makes the injection male contraception so exciting. Lets bring in more equality! Only the Trial is now on pause because 20 men, out of the 320 in the trial experience side effects they just couldn’t deal with. Thus the title of this blog post. It isn’t really the men themselves that is the issue you see, but a patriarchal social system that says women can and should put up with side effects but not men.

Over and over I had now been told by women about how they have been pressured to be on birth control, no matter the side effects. We are expected to handle this issue on our own. The medical establishment knows well the side effects we suffer and the risks that could include death, and they tell us the benefits out way the risks. Why now is the medical world not telling those 20 men the same thing? Surely the side effects MUST be worse than what women already suffer right?

Not so much…  those 20 men experienced depression, muscle pain, mood swings, acne and changes to the libido. It sounds familiar right? Apparently they deserve better…. We haven’t been able to take those side effects out of female birth control but yet they are working hard to make sure men don’t have to deal with it.

 Can men not deal with the same side effects women can? Are men not as strong as women?

The fact is, it isn’t about men or women being stronger, it is about our society placing the responsibility of reproduction on women and to hell with side effects. Of course the trial itself means things are changing, but it truly is about time.

Perhaps society isn’t saying men are less strong, but the alternative isn’t much better…. perhaps it has been saying for a long time that the suffering of women is less important! That is something we just don’t talk about though I guess. When it comes to birth control, reproductive rights, there are some ugly truths that we seem to avoid at all costs.

I know many men who would gladly take on the responsibility of birth control if given a chance, beyond just condoms. Despite the title of this blog post, I don’t honestly believe men are less strong than women. Each of us have our own strengths. My title is based wholly on the position society has placed us in.

On a personal note, my husband and I have been researching birth control for a long time now. Having more than a few children and being “done” now we feel like there are no good options for us, as many increases the risk of cancer, yes even a vasectomy. Having just lost my beloved father to cancer far too young and my husbands family having a lot of cancer, it is not a risk we are ok taking. This topic is important in our lives and we are on the look out for the next best option that science can give us. Please society, get out of the way! We need one less worry, and want to just focus on the beautiful family we already have!