MaleContraceptives.org -- Prove that there is demand for new male contraceptives

Step 1: Take the Survey

One of the biggest hurdles to the development of new contraceptives for men is the belief that there is no market for such products. Participate in this survey to help dispel that myth. This survey isn’t just for men — the participation of both men and women is important. You can also personalize your interest in new male contraceptives by telling your story.

I am a
Male
Female

I was born in

I live in

My current relationship status is
Single
Married
In a committed relationship
Dating

Do you have any children?

Are you and your partner(s) currently using a method of contraception?
Yes
No

Which method(s)? Please check all that apply:

The pill	The combination birth control pill is an oral contraceptive taken daily that contains estrogen and progestin; The progestin-only birth control pill, also known as the minipill, is an oral contraceptive taken daily that contains only one hormone, a progestin. Male condoms	Condoms are non-prescription sheaths of thin latex, polyurethane or natural membranes unrolled onto the erect penis before intercourse. They act as a mechanical barrier, preventing pregnancy by stopping sperm from entering the vagina, and stopping the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Female sterilization	Various methods are employed to achieve irreversible sterilization. Tubal ligation is also known as "having your tubes tied," and is a surgical procedure in which the fallopian tubes are tied and cut, cauterized, or closed with a clip. Non-surgical, mechanical (Essure) and chemical (quinacrine) methods of creating scar tissue can also block the tubes over time.
The patch	The first skin patch for birth control, Ortho Evra, was introduced in 2001. The patch is a 1¾ inch square patch that slowly releases the hormones estrogen and progestin through the skin and into the bloodstream over the course of 1 week. Female condoms	The Reality female condom is a non-prescription, loose-fitting polyurethane pouch that lines the vagina. It has two flexible rings: an inner ring at the closed end, used to insert the device inside the vagina and to hold it in place, and an outer ring which remains outside the vagina and covers the external genitalia. Vasectomy	A vasectomy is irreversible sterilization for men achieved through a minor surgical procedure. The vas deferens, the ducts transporting sperm from the testes to the penis, are tied and cut, cauterized, or closed with a clip.
The ring	The vaginal ring (NuvaRing) is a flexible, transparent plastic device that slowly releases the hormones estrogen and progestin. The ring measures 2 inches in diameter, and is inserted into the vagina to prevent pregnancy. Each ring provides pregnancy protection for 1 month. Sponge	The sponge is a non-prescription barrier device: it is soft, round, and about two inches in diameter. It is made of polyurethane foam and contains spermicide. The sponge is inserted into the vagina and releases spermicide slowly over 24 hours. Withdrawal	Withdrawal, also known as coitus interruptus, is the practice of removing the penis from the vagina before ejaculating. This method is considered a pseudo- contraceptive because pre-ejaculatory fluid can pick up sperm left in the urethra from a previous ejaculation and cause pregnancy.
The shot	Depo-Provera, a progestin-only injection administered every three months, is the only injectable contraceptive available in the US. Another progestin-only injection, Noristerat, and Cyclofem, a monthly estrogen and progestin contraceptive injection, are available in other countries. Diaphragm	The diaphragm is a reusable, dome-shaped, latex rubber cup with a flexible rim. A woman inserts a diaphragm into her vagina, fitting it over the cervix, shortly before sexual intercourse and should leave it in place for at least 6 hours after intercourse. Fertility awareness	Also known as natural family planning, is a means of preventing pregnancy by avoiding intercourse during a woman's fertile period around the time of ovulation. There are various methods of determining the fertile period, including measuring basal body temperature, using a calendar or cycle beads, and observing the cervical mucus.
The implant	Implanon is a thin, flexible plastic tube about the size of a cardboard matchstick. It is inserted under the skin of the upper arm, where is slowly releases a progestin over the course of 3 years. Implanon was preceded by Norplant, which is no longer available. Cervical cap	The cervical cap is a reusable, deep dome-shaped, rubber cup fits over the cervix. Caps come in four sizes and must be fitted by a clinician. FemCap, made of silicone rubber, is the only cervical cap available in the US. Lactational amenorrhea	After giving birth, there is usually a break in ovulation and menstrual periods for the first few months during breastfeeding. This method is only effective in preventing pregnancy only if the baby is less than 6 months old, if breast milk is the exclusive food of the baby, and if the mother�s period has not returned.
Hormonal IUD	The hormonal Intra Uterine Device (IUD), called the Mirena, is a T-shaped plastic frame which is inserted by a clinician into the uterus. The vertical arm of the Mirena IUD contains a progestin, and is good for 5 years of pregnancy prevention. Spermicides The copper Intra Uterine Device (IUD), called the ParaGuard or CuT380A, is a T-shaped plastic frame which is inserted by a clinician into the uterus. The arms of the ParaGuard IUD are wrapped in copper, and it is good for up to 12 years of pregnancy prevention. Other brand names and styles of copper IUDs are available in other countries.	Spermicides are a non-prescription method of birth control, usually used in combination with another barrier method. They are available in a variety of preparations, including creams, film, foams, jellies, and suppositories which are liquids or solids which liquefy after they are inserted in the vagina. They are used shortly before intercourse. Fertility computers	These computers are fertility awareness method aids, and are approved for use in Europe and Canada. LadyComp and BioSelf computers measure and store data about basal body temperature, showing a red light on the woman�s fertile days. The Persona computer uses urine samples to measure and record hormone levels, also showing a red light on fertile days.
Copper IUD

Which methods of contraception have you and your partner(s) used previously? Please check all that apply:

The pill	The combination birth control pill is an oral contraceptive taken daily that contains estrogen and progestin; The progestin-only birth control pill, also known as the minipill, is an oral contraceptive taken daily that contains only one hormone, a progestin. Male condoms	Condoms are non-prescription sheaths of thin latex, polyurethane or natural membranes unrolled onto the erect penis before intercourse. They act as a mechanical barrier, preventing pregnancy by stopping sperm from entering the vagina, and stopping the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Female sterilization	Various methods are employed to achieve irreversible sterilization. Tubal ligation is also known as "having your tubes tied," and is a surgical procedure in which the fallopian tubes are tied and cut, cauterized, or closed with a clip. Non-surgical, mechanical (Essure) and chemical (quinacrine) methods of creating scar tissue can also block the tubes over time.
The patch	The first skin patch for birth control, Ortho Evra, was introduced in 2001. The patch is a 1¾ inch square patch that slowly releases the hormones estrogen and progestin through the skin and into the bloodstream over the course of 1 week. Female condoms	The Reality female condom is a non-prescription, loose-fitting polyurethane pouch that lines the vagina. It has two flexible rings: an inner ring at the closed end, used to insert the device inside the vagina and to hold it in place, and an outer ring which remains outside the vagina and covers the external genitalia. Vasectomy	A vasectomy is irreversible sterilization for men achieved through a minor surgical procedure. The vas deferens, the ducts transporting sperm from the testes to the penis, are tied and cut, cauterized, or closed with a clip.
The ring	The vaginal ring (NuvaRing) is a flexible, transparent plastic device that slowly releases the hormones estrogen and progestin. The ring measures 2 inches in diameter, and is inserted into the vagina to prevent pregnancy. Each ring provides pregnancy protection for 1 month. Sponge	The sponge is a non-prescription barrier device: it is soft, round, and about two inches in diameter. It is made of polyurethane foam and contains spermicide. The sponge is inserted into the vagina and releases spermicide slowly over 24 hours. Withdrawal	Withdrawal, also known as coitus interruptus, is the practice of removing the penis from the vagina before ejaculating. This method is considered a pseudo- contraceptive because pre-ejaculatory fluid can pick up sperm left in the urethra from a previous ejaculation and cause pregnancy.
The shot	Depo-Provera, a progestin-only injection administered every three months, is the only injectable contraceptive available in the US. Another progestin-only injection, Noristerat, and Cyclofem, a monthly estrogen and progestin contraceptive injection, are available in other countries. Diaphragm	The diaphragm is a reusable, dome-shaped, latex rubber cup with a flexible rim. A woman inserts a diaphragm into her vagina, fitting it over the cervix, shortly before sexual intercourse and should leave it in place for at least 6 hours after intercourse. Fertility awareness	Also known as natural family planning, is a means of preventing pregnancy by avoiding intercourse during a woman's fertile period around the time of ovulation. There are various methods of determining the fertile period, including measuring basal body temperature, using a calendar or cycle beads, and observing the cervical mucus.
The implant	Implanon is a thin, flexible plastic tube about the size of a cardboard matchstick. It is inserted under the skin of the upper arm, where is slowly releases a progestin over the course of 3 years. Implanon was preceded by Norplant, which is no longer available. Cervical cap	The cervical cap is a reusable, deep dome-shaped, rubber cup fits over the cervix. Caps come in four sizes and must be fitted by a clinician. FemCap, made of silicone rubber, is the only cervical cap available in the US. Lactational amenorrhea	After giving birth, there is usually a break in ovulation and menstrual periods for the first few months during breastfeeding. This method is only effective in preventing pregnancy only if the baby is less than 6 months old, if breast milk is the exclusive food of the baby, and if the mother’s period has not returned.
Hormonal IUD	The hormonal Intra Uterine Device (IUD), called the Mirena, is a T-shaped plastic frame which is inserted by a clinician into the uterus. The vertical arm of the Mirena IUD contains a progestin, and is good for 5 years of pregnancy prevention. Spermicides The copper Intra Uterine Device (IUD), called the ParaGuard or CuT380A, is a T-shaped plastic frame which is inserted by a clinician into the uterus. The arms of the ParaGuard IUD are wrapped in copper, and it is good for up to 12 years of pregnancy prevention. Other brand names and styles of copper IUDs are available in other countries.	Spermicides are a non-prescription method of birth control, usually used in combination with another barrier method. They are available in a variety of preparations, including creams, film, foams, jellies, and suppositories which are liquids or solids which liquefy after they are inserted in the vagina. They are used shortly before intercourse. Fertility computers	These computers are fertility awareness method aids, and are approved for use in Europe and Canada. LadyComp and BioSelf computers measure and store data about basal body temperature, showing a red light on the woman’s fertile days. The Persona computer uses urine samples to measure and record hormone levels, also showing a red light on fertile days.
Copper IUD

If you or your partner(s) stopped using certain methods of contraception, why? Please check all that apply:
Unpleasant side effects
Inconvenience
Not effective enough
Health risks
Too expensive
No longer available / Removed from the market
Wanted to become pregnant
Other... please explain:

Who has decided which method of contraception you would use? Please check all that have applied in your relationship(s):
I made the decision
My partner made the decision
We made the decision together

Would you be willing to undergo vasectomy?
No
Yes, once I've completed my family
Yes, I already had a vasectomy

If new methods of male fertility control were available, would you use them?
Yes
It would depend on the method
I'm uncertain
No

What do you consider the most desirable method of action for a male contraceptive? Please rank the methods below 1 through 6, with 1 being the most desirable:

Method of action	1	2	3	4	5	6
Systemic hormonal drug	This is the functional equivalent of “the Pill” for women, although for men it would most likely be delivered as a combination of a pill and an injection or an implant. Male hormonal contraceptives require 2 months to become effective, and are reversed within 3 months.
Systemic nonhormonal drug	Various plant and pharmaceutical compounds are being investigated as potential male contraceptives, from Tripterygium wilfordii derivatives to drugs already approved as anti-hypertension medications. The frequency of administration and manner of action depends on the specific drug.
Systemic immunization	Immunocontraception would provide up to a year of contraception with one injection by tricking a man’s body into temporarily treating sperm as a foreign substance. There are no immunocontraceptives on the market now – they are in experimental stages for both men and women.
Local device which partially blocks the vas deferens	RISUG and the Intra Vas Device (IVD) fall into this category. Both are implanted in a 15 minute outpatient procedure. RISUG insertion can be performed without a scalpel. These devices have no effect on a man’s hormone levels.
Local application of heat	Use of external sources of heat to temporarily halt sperm production in the testes. Researchers have used hot sitz-baths and battery operated pouches to heat the testes. One month of weekly treatments can provide up to 6 months of contraception.
Modified brief-style underwear	Also known as suspensories. Daily use of brief-style underwear with a special insert that hold the testes snugly against the body is another way of using heat to suppress sperm production. The underwear has to be worn consistently every day in order to be effective.

For a systemic male contraceptive drug, what do you consider the most desirable form of administration? Please rank the methods below 1 through 5, with 1 being the most desirable:

Method of administration	1	2	3	4	5
Pill taken daily
Gel or cream applied to the skin daily
Injection every 3 months
Small implant just under the surface of the skin every 6 months
Injection every 12 months

Would you visit a doctor in order to get a new male contraceptive?
Yes No

Which do you agree with most strongly? I want new male contraceptives because...
I want to share in family planning responsibilities
I want to have control over my fertility
I have already had as many children as I want
Other... Please explain:

Has your partner expressed interest in using a new contraceptive for men?
Yes No

If new methods of male fertility control were available, would you encourage your partner to use them?
Yes
It would depend on the method
I'm uncertain
No

Do you think your partner would use a male contraceptive reliably?
Yes, even a method that required daily effort
Yes, if the method only required effort once every few months
Yes, but only if the method required a one-time effort
No

If your partner were using a male contraceptive, would you continue to use methods of birth control for women?
Yes
It would depend on how effective the male contraceptive method is
I�m uncertain
No