Side Effects Of Contraceptives Acceptable For Women, Why Not For Men? #WomenOnTheMove

The side effects of contraceptives that were acceptable for women suddenly become unacceptable for men. Is Science biased? #WomenOnTheMove.

The recent break through in the clinical trial of an injectable hormone contraceptive for men was a massive achievement for the scientists.

The results showed that this injectable hormone contraceptive was 96 percent more effective at preventing unwanted pregnancies than the birth control pills for women. The hormonal contraceptive lowered the sperm counts, thus proving more effective in curbing unwanted pregnancies.

A closer look at the side effects

“Mood changes, depression, pain at the injection site, and increased libido.”

Do any of these sound familiar?

Scores of women, who have been taking birth control pills, since the 1950’s & 60’s, have been facing these (dubbed) ‘minor’ side effects and so much more. And yet, they were forced to take the pills and asked to deal with the side effects for the greater good i.e. avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Earlier this week, we had our weekly #Womenonthemove chat over at Twitter, and this is what we discussed. And we got plenty of suggestions too!

(If you’re not yet following Women’s Web on Twitter, do now, and you can come over for the chat too, every Wednesday 6-7PM IST).

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Why the abandonment of the trial not justified?

@womensweb Certainly not
Bt d bigger debate is whether this landmark trial wil open up a healthier rights-based conversatn on #womenshealth

— Swarnima (@SwarnsB) November 2, 2016

@womensweb not acceptable for any1. Women to be made more aware . Not sure the Drs prescribing them know abt it themselves #WomenOnTheMove

— Sakshi Dutt (@sakshi2487) November 2, 2016

@womensweb No, let them feel our side effects too. #WomenOnTheMove

— Inderpreet Uppal (@indywrites) November 2, 2016

@womensweb I think it should be unacceptable to both. We should not have to mess up hormones. (I take it though..)

— Nidsitis (@nidsitis) November 2, 2016

Hell no. Not acceptable at all. https://t.co/FeMcyFg91X

— Aditi Mathur (@adicrazy) November 2, 2016

@sakshi2487 @womensweb Any sort of Oral contraceptives create hormonal repercussions. This trial on men is more ironic than objectionable

— Swarnima (@SwarnsB) November 2, 2016

Whether there will be any side effects or not largely depends on individual health. Hence, a blanket ban on a break-through discovery in not justified.

@womensweb well honestly, 13 years now and no side effects so I guess I’ve no complaints @jasuja @monikamanchanda @adicrazy

— Kiran Manral (@KiranManral) November 2, 2016

@adicrazy keeps my PCOD in check, has lessened period duration. No complaints. @womensweb @jasuja @monikamanchanda

— Kiran Manral (@KiranManral) November 2, 2016

@KiranManral @womensweb That is heartening! I guess proper info on contraception & care goes a long way
@jasuja @monikamanchanda @adicrazy

— Swarnima (@SwarnsB) November 2, 2016

@SwarnsB I guess every person has different reactions depending on individual health issues @womensweb @jasuja @monikamanchanda @adicrazy

— Kiran Manral (@KiranManral) November 2, 2016

@KiranManral @womensweb Agree. My mom struggled with her menopause, eventually getting hysterectomy. But my aunt had it relatively better

— Swarnima (@SwarnsB) November 2, 2016

@KiranManral True. I have no complaints either, but that’s because I consulted more than 3 doctors. 😋 @SwarnsB @womensweb @monikamanchanda

— Aditi Mathur (@adicrazy) November 2, 2016

@womensweb i took it continuously for 5yrs.altered my period cycle/flow. Now off it. Individual should take a call based on their health

— Kontiki (@santoor_mom) November 2, 2016

Is Science biased? Yes it is. Infact for long Science has been treating women as cattle.

@womensweb Absolutely. Diaphragm was also a good option but it hardly took off

— Swarnima (@SwarnsB) November 2, 2016

@nidsitis @womensweb Unfortunately d very nature f hormonal contraceptives is 2 mess with hormones. However, proper info makes things easier

— Swarnima (@SwarnsB) November 2, 2016

@SwarnsB @womensweb The issue is that no one talks abt the side effects .I was prescribed a similar pill for PCOD did more harm than good

— Sakshi Dutt (@sakshi2487) November 2, 2016

@womensweb @sakshi2487 Of Course. Look at d language of science that calls a human coming out d vaginal hole as “normal” delivery.

— Swarnima (@SwarnsB) November 2, 2016

@womensweb There is hardly much research on increasing the effectiveness of epidurals.

— Swarnima (@SwarnsB) November 2, 2016

@womensweb Period pain is SO NORMALISED that women hardly view it as symptoms of endometriosis or PCOD etc. Pain IS abnormal

— Swarnima (@SwarnsB) November 2, 2016

Science, the world, medicine and even fun – all are biased for men #womenonthemove but the men are still moving forward. @womensweb https://t.co/5g843CQde4

— Inderpreet Uppal (@indywrites) November 2, 2016

Women have been forced to shoulder the responsibility of avoiding an unwanted pregnancy alone. It’s high time for men to share the responsibility too.

@womensweb Just like giving birth to a daughter is a women’s fault , not getting pregnant is a women’s responsibility #WomenOnTheMove

— Sakshi Dutt (@sakshi2487) November 2, 2016

@womensweb Yes, it is. They assume the burden is for the woman to share. #Womenonthemove

— Inderpreet Uppal (@indywrites) November 2, 2016

@womensweb Most certainly. Men are not taught to fulfill fatherly roles the way women experience that onus. Often in crippling ways

— Swarnima (@SwarnsB) November 2, 2016

@womensweb I was told how bearing a child is a subtle way of proving masculinity (that he engaged in sex. So contraceptive would be bleh)

— Nidsitis (@nidsitis) November 2, 2016

@womensweb I think patriarchy is at play with contraceptives too. Again about conditioning & expectations. #womenonthemove #genderbias

— Vaishali Gandhi (@vaishali178) November 2, 2016

@womensweb Reading, reading & reading. I’m not married bt I ensure my partner reads imp stuff on gender & sexuality, and discusses

— Swarnima (@SwarnsB) November 2, 2016

@womensweb Many years ago my gynaec had told me that the best contraceptive is the word ‘No’. How true! #womenonthemove

— Vaishali Gandhi (@vaishali178) November 2, 2016

Sharing information and taking joint decisions. Contraception is as important as child rearing #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/loqEApQcTR

— Inderpreet Uppal (@indywrites) November 2, 2016

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