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COSO, an ultrasound-based and reversible approach to male contraception

jamesdysonaward.org

41–50 of 71 posts

Re: COSO, an ultrasound-based and reversible approach to male contraception

#41

I'd love to have effective male contraception. But the previous work on this doesn't make it look like it's the answer: https://www.parsemus.org/humanhealth/ultrasound-male-contrac... See the section "Effective contraception in humans remains elusive"

DMAU as a pill or injection appears to be very effective. Studies are still ongoing. It’s been studied for a long time, and finally it seems there’s an appetite from men widespread enough to make it feasible commercially.

https://endocrinenews.endocrine.org/one-step-closer-is-male-...

I’ve done two drug trials with this stuff and it’s pretty cool. It appears to make men totally infertile while they’re on the drug, with a quick recovery once off of it. It might help prevent balding, too.

Re: COSO, an ultrasound-based and reversible approach to male contraception

#42
post #3

I see a couple of acceptance problems with the device. First, men a notoriously squeamish when it comes to their testicles. "Heating" without telling the temperature won't fly with many. I guess it doesn't have to be hot as it probably only needs to be warm enough to relax the cremaster muscles. If it has to be uncomfortably hot, I see little chance in the market. Second, I'd expect the ultrasound to hurt. The epidid…

Even so, providing direct control of fertility by a male partner is an important problem. Currently, the only control option that permits unprotected sex is a vasectomy -- this is expensive, requires many months, and is not always reversible. On the female side there is the UID and hormonal interventions -- both of which have downsides for the female partner.

> Currently, the only control option that permits unprotected sex is a vasectomy

This isn't really true. Despite getting disparaged often - pulling out is an effective form of birth control (If done correctly, only slightly less effective than condoms: 96%).

Combined with tracking periods and being extra careful around ovulation dates, it works quite well.

Even if we assume improper methods in real world conditions, it's still about 75% effective.

It's not a method I recommend for casual encounters, but with a long term partner you trust - it can be extremely effective without the downsides of other birth control.

Re: COSO, an ultrasound-based and reversible approach to male contraception

#43
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Condoms are not very reliable (historically about 90% pregnancy prevention effectiveness over a year) due to issues with using them. The other methods can fail due to misuse (missing a pill or get the timing wrong) or be removed without the partners knowledge - which does happen surprisingly often.

It's 98% for one year according to the NHS. IUDs dont fail, and certainly a guy can miss his ball heating session or stop without the partners knowledge.

> It's 98% for one year according to the NHS.

Assumes perfect use. The real figure is lower. Condoms simply can't compete with other contraception methods. Their main purpose is prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

Re: COSO, an ultrasound-based and reversible approach to male contraception

#44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why is it an important problem? We have hormonal and non-hormonal UIDs, many different types of pills, rings, and not to mention _condoms_ which actually prevents STDs. I don't have a problem with other guys heating their balls up, but where is the important problem?

Power and control. Females have a wide range of birth control options, all highly effective. However, they are all entirely under the woman's control. They can stop birth control without the man even knowing about it. This isn't some conspiracy theory, either. Women do show up to gynecologists to ask them to remove their IUDs with the explicit intent to have a child regardless of their partner's wishes. This is not c…

If your relationship balance and trust is based on whether or not your partner can secretly make babies with you without your consent, that is something to be addressed (in a human way, not by using ultrasound on your testicles).

Re: COSO, an ultrasound-based and reversible approach to male contraception

#45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why is it an important problem? We have hormonal and non-hormonal UIDs, many different types of pills, rings, and not to mention _condoms_ which actually prevents STDs. I don't have a problem with other guys heating their balls up, but where is the important problem?

Power and control. Females have a wide range of birth control options, all highly effective. However, they are all entirely under the woman's control. They can stop birth control without the man even knowing about it. This isn't some conspiracy theory, either. Women do show up to gynecologists to ask them to remove their IUDs with the explicit intent to have a child regardless of their partner's wishes. This is not c…

Finally a real answer, and not an increase of 2% chance of blood clots for a certain type of contraceptive pill.

But this doesn't make a difference either because now the man can stop going to the ball blasting session.

The main issue is trust, and why are you having unprotected sex with people you don't trust in the first place?

Re: COSO, an ultrasound-based and reversible approach to male contraception

#47
post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Power and control. Females have a wide range of birth control options, all highly effective. However, they are all entirely under the woman's control. They can stop birth control without the man even knowing about it. This isn't some conspiracy theory, either. Women do show up to gynecologists to ask them to remove their IUDs with the explicit intent to have a child regardless of their partner's wishes. This is not c…

If your relationship balance and trust is based on whether or not your partner can secretly make babies with you without your consent, that is something to be addressed (in a human way, not by using ultrasound on your testicles).

Relationships are hard and often imperfect. People often lie and act irrationally. I've seen justifications like "he won't leave me if I have a baby with him".

As men, this is absolutely something that we should worry about.

Re: COSO, an ultrasound-based and reversible approach to male contraception

#48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Power and control. Females have a wide range of birth control options, all highly effective. However, they are all entirely under the woman's control. They can stop birth control without the man even knowing about it. This isn't some conspiracy theory, either. Women do show up to gynecologists to ask them to remove their IUDs with the explicit intent to have a child regardless of their partner's wishes. This is not c…

Finally a real answer, and not an increase of 2% chance of blood clots for a certain type of contraceptive pill. But this doesn't make a difference either because now the man can stop going to the ball blasting session. The main issue is trust, and why are you having unprotected sex with people you don't trust in the first place?

>>The main issue is trust, and why are you having unprotected sex with people you don't trust in the first place?

I guess you never had a condom break? As rare as it is, it happens.

Re: COSO, an ultrasound-based and reversible approach to male contraception

#49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Power and control. Females have a wide range of birth control options, all highly effective. However, they are all entirely under the woman's control. They can stop birth control without the man even knowing about it. This isn't some conspiracy theory, either. Women do show up to gynecologists to ask them to remove their IUDs with the explicit intent to have a child regardless of their partner's wishes. This is not c…

Finally a real answer, and not an increase of 2% chance of blood clots for a certain type of contraceptive pill. But this doesn't make a difference either because now the man can stop going to the ball blasting session. The main issue is trust, and why are you having unprotected sex with people you don't trust in the first place?

> But this doesn't make a difference either because now the man can stop going to the ball blasting session.

It makes a huge difference. Actually it changes everything. With male birth control, there are 4 possible outcomes:

  1. Man and woman don't use birth control.
     Conception is likely.

  2. Man uses birth control. Woman doesn't.
     Conception is unlikely.

  3. Man doesn't use birth control. Woman does.
     Conception is unlikely.

  4. Man and woman use birth control.
     Chance of conception is astronomically low.
Notice how conception is only likely when both partners want it.

When only women have access to effective birth control, they have a lot more leverage and therefore power:

  1. Man has no birth control. Woman doesn't use hers.
     Conception is likely.

  2. Man has no birth control. Woman uses hers.
     Conception is unlikely.
Currently, the choice to have children rests almost entirely on the female. All she needs to do is secretly stop her birth control.

> The main issue is trust, and why are you having unprotected sex with people you don't trust in the first place?

Trust should not be necessary for a matter of this importance. Children should only be born when both partners consent. It's as simple as that.

Also, condoms are not particularly effective at contraception. The statistics assume perfect use and that doesn't happen in reality. Their main purpose is protection against sexually transmitted diseases. That isn't perfect either.

Re: COSO, an ultrasound-based and reversible approach to male contraception

#50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Finally a real answer, and not an increase of 2% chance of blood clots for a certain type of contraceptive pill. But this doesn't make a difference either because now the man can stop going to the ball blasting session. The main issue is trust, and why are you having unprotected sex with people you don't trust in the first place?

>>The main issue is trust, and why are you having unprotected sex with people you don't trust in the first place? I guess you never had a condom break? As rare as it is, it happens.

Actually I've had it happen quite a few times, but it's been my own fault every time either for using condoms that were too thin or the wrong size when I first started using condoms or being drunk when putting them on.
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