Journal of Reproductive Health and Contraception

Male Hormonal Contraception: Attitudes and Perceptions of Young Adults

Introduction: Despite 65% of reproductive age females using contraception, nearly 50% of pregnancies in the United States are unintended, the highest rate being among young adults ages 18-24. Females have access to dozens of contraceptive methods while limited options exist for males, placing a disproportionate burden of pregnancy prevention on female partners. Male Hormonal Contraception (MHC) has the potential to reduce unintended pregnancy rates and extend the responsibility of pregnancy prevention to male partners. The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes and perceptions of young adults regarding the use of MHC. Methods: A sample of 553 young adults, ages 18-24, was recruited from a large, mid-Atlantic, public university. Participants completed a 28-item, anonymous, self-report survey to assess factors pertaining to MHC including receptiveness, desired characteristics, and social barriers to use. Results: Sixty-eight percent (N=553) of participants indicated positive receptiveness to MHC use. Females were more receptive (81.8% vs. 44.4%) and more likely to encourage MHC use (53.4% vs. 26.3%) than males. Social barriers to MHC use included mutual partner trust and impact on self-perceived masculinity. Females perceived themselves to be more trustworthy than males in contraceptive use. Male participants were significantly more likely to feel that MHC threatened self-perceived masculinity. Conclusion: Attitudes and perceptions of young adults regarding MHC are generally positive, suggesting that MHC would be well received by the public. MHC has the potential to significantly redistribute the burden of pregnancy prevention among partners and ultimately reduce unintended pregnancy rates. Keywords: Male hormonal contraception; Male contraception; Contraception; Attitudes; Perceptions; Receptiveness; Pregnancy prevention; Unintended pregnancy; Masculinity

Author(s): Desiree M. Neumann* and Jennifer C. Kastello

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