Male Family Planning

Ever since, the active role in family planning is usually assumed by women by using various methods such as IUD, oral contraceptives, cervical spong...


Ever since, the active role in family planning is usually assumed by women by using various methods such as IUD, oral contraceptives, cervical sponges, hormonal injections etc. Women partners often encourage their partners to cooperate in preventing contraception since family planning has long-term effects for a family’s future. Maternal mortality can be lessened by adequately spacing the frequency of child birth which also results to healthier babies. Recently, various countries around the world has raised advocacy for the involvement of males in family planning. This has been a trend for some years now especially in countries that are considered patriarchal. The government in such countries mandate the health bureau or ministry to plan, implement and monitor programs that promote male involvement in family planning. One of the main reasons behind this very obvious: women need the full support and cooperation of their partners to effectively practice family planning. In cases where the family planning method chosen is natural method, both partners must strictly follow the rules such as abstaining from intercourse during fertile periods. Deviation from such rule would result to pregnancy thereby defeating the main purpose. Therefore, males are active players in the natural method of family planning.

Another reason why males should be involved in family planning is for the prevention of transmitting sexual diseases. Males who use condoms protect not only themselves but their partners as well. The alarming increase of AIDS worldwide has triggered campaigns that encourage men to use condoms during intercourse. In a way, this provides benefit by lessening the incidence of contraception or unwanted pregnancy. Most drugstore and groceries openly promote condoms on the shelves so the public can easily buy without asking for assistance.

One method that is 100% effective in promoting family planning is vasectomy. Some families have many children and the mother is already unfit to bear children. Male partners could actively involve themselves by having a vasectomy. Health providers give complete orientation to men undergoing this procedure to clear any misconception such as loss of libido or male virility. In short, male involvement in family planning can greatly enhance its effectiveness which is very much needed by their women partners.

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