Hormonal birth control has (since forever) been, left to those who have Vulvas.
Researchers have slowly been working on alternative methods but sadly we are not quite there yet. This is due to a variety of reasons, like side effects (usually similar to what we go through, lol) and the fact it's much harder to find contraceptives for lots of sperm as opposed to one egg.
There aren't many options for penis wielders to take control of contraception and it can leave those who want to feeling a little useless. So what can you do?
Condoms
Condoms are a shared duty, BUT to help protect everyone from getting pregnant or contracting STIs, the best and simplest thing you can do is always carry in-date condoms.
This may seem obvious, but many forget or try to avoid them due to sensitivity issues, however, there are many variations on the market - so this is NOT an excuse.
If you are in a long-term het relationship and your partner is not getting on with hormonal birth control, why not offer to take charge and use condoms on the regular? See contraception as a shared duty, not just down to those who can take more options.
If you are under 25, condoms are free in ALL sexual health clinics in the UK.
Vasectomies
A Vasectomy is a surgical procedure to cut or seal the tubes that carry sperm to prevent pregnancy 'permanently'. It's simple and carried out at the GP under local anaesthetic (less painful than a coil insertion) and it takes around 15 mins.
Now it can seem like a bit of a drastic option, especially as it's considered a 'permanent' move but a vasectomy is over 99% effective and means neither of you needs to worry about contraception (only STI protection).
Vasectomies do not affect your sexual desire and you'll still be able to ejaculate (it will just no longer contain sperm).
Vasectomies are free on the NHS but have to be approved by your GP which can be hard if you are younger. They are more likely to approve you if you are over 30 as they deem is the 'appropriate age' to make a decision about children...
Vasectomies CAN be reversed but the chances of pregnancy are 75% if done in the first 3 years, 50-55% in 3-8 years and 40-45% if it's been 9-14 years. This is a great option if you are sure you do not want children or have finished making them.
You CANNOT reverse them as much as poor Michael does in the office (SNIP SNAP).
Support Your Partners
While there aren't many options for sperm shooters (yes, i'm still going) to take control of their contraception, a big thing you can do to help is support your sexual partners/partner when they are having to deal with the ever too real side effects of hormonal contraception.
Make sure you are aware of your partner's difficulties and support them with this.
Check up on them, and let them know you are informed about what they are going through. If you both slip up (which happens to the best of us) make sure you at least split the cost of the morning-after pill.
This will take a big weight off your partner/partners and help them to not feel like this is solely their responsibility to navigate.
