Overview

There have been few changes in male contraception compared with the range of options available to women. Although there's ongoing research into a male contraceptive pill, there is not one available yet.

At the moment, the 2 contraceptive methods available to men are:

• condoms - a barrier form of contraception that stops sperm from reaching and fertilising an egg
• vasectomy - a minor, usually permanent, surgical procedure that stops sperm from reaching the semen ejaculated from the penis

The withdrawal method of taking your penis out of your partner's vagina before ejaculating is not a method of contraception. This is because sperm can be released before ejaculation and cause pregnancy.

Research into male contraception

Researchers are optimistic that a safe, effective and reversible method of male contraception will eventually become a reality, although this is still several years away.