3 Ways Male Partners Can Support Their Significant Other's Contraceptive Choices
If you are a male and are sexually active with a female, then contraception will likely be an important aspect of your relationship. There are many different methods that couples may choose to prevent unwanted pregnancy, but the majority of options available, such as hormonal pills, injections, and IUDs are used solely by the woman. However, there are plenty of ways that male partners can show their support for their female partner and be involved in decisions about contraception.
Learn About the Various Options Available to Women
There are many forms of contraception currently available, and each of these has its own benefits and drawbacks. Often, it falls on the female in a relationship to research options for contraception and make a decision about what works for her. However, you can support your female partner by offering information about less-popular alternatives as well as anticipating side effects that may be associated with some methods. You can also support her decision to not use a birth control method that does not work for her by being willing to try other methods. For example, if the pill does not work well for your significant other, you might explore diaphragms or cervical caps, which may or may not involve you helping to place the device before sex.
Offer to Share the Financial Burden
If you do not use condoms as your main form of contraception, then it is likely that the majority of the financial responsibility for contraception falls on the female in the relationship, who may have to pay to visit a doctor and get a prescription as well as for the contraceptive itself. You may want to offer to pay for all or part of the contraception. However, if your significant other declines your offer and wants to pay for contraception on her own, you should respect that choice.
Research and Support Upcoming Long-term Male Contraceptives
Currently, men do not have many contraception options beyond condoms, but there is currently research being conducted on several forms of long-term male birth control such as pills and an injection that will block sperm from exiting the body. By staying informed about these studies and supporting them, both financially and socially, you can be ready to take on some or all of the burden of contraception when a male long-term contraceptive becomes widely available.
Contraception is an important aspect of sexual relationships. If you are the male in a heterosexual relationship and do not wish to deal with an unwanted pregnancy, make sure that you are involved choosing and using an effective contraceptive. Contact Mile High OB GYN for further information on your options.
Share