Thread by @youth_coalition

Today is #WorldContraceptionDay! Let’s discuss the importance of contraceptive options for people with penises* & how this relates to bodily autonomy.

A thread 🧵 [1/n]

*A note on language: Most research talks about ‘male-focused contraception’, but we don’t want to use this language as it excludes ppl w penises who don’t identify as men. There is a gap in studies looking at contraception specifically 4 trans, nb, and intersex folks! [2/n]

Let’s begin. There are few contraceptive methods available 4 ppl w penises: condoms & vasectomy. While condoms protect from STIs & vasectomy is a great permanent method, the lack of other options has negative effects on bodily autonomy. [3/n]

For ppl with a uterus, there are ~11 contraceptive options. The methods available include Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) such as IUDs, implants, etc. & Short Acting Reversible Contraceptives (SARCs) like the pill, the patch, etc. [4/n]

BUT there are no LARCs or SARCs available for ppl w penises. This means: 1) ppl w penises have limited autonomy in controlling their repro health - the lack of effective and reversible options forces them to rely on their partners for contraception. [5/n]

2) ppl w uteruses bear the majority of the financial & health burden related with contraception use (side effects, cost of physician visits, time, etc.). [6/n]

journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/contra…

Why is there such a large difference in contraceptive availability? One explanation involves the medical challenges faced in controlling sperm production, since this is more challenging than regulating ovum production. [7/n]

Also, clinical trials 4 contraceptives nowadays are much more thorough & careful than they were for things like the pill in the 60s (which is great, given the problematic ableist & racist history of early contraceptive trials). [8/n] yourdaye.com/vitals/cultura…

Therefore, getting a product to market takes much more time + resources than it did when most methods 4 ppl w ovaries were developed. Also, is has been difficult to secure the neccessary funding for these trials from pharmaceutical companies. [9/n]

The other explanation r gender norms: Although ppl w penises have expressed the desire to take + responsibility for contraception, & many state they WOULD use new hormonal & non-hormonal methods, gender norms making ppl w a uterus responsible 4 contraception prevail 💊 [10/n]

For example: vasectomy is widely available & it is cheaper, easier & safer than tubal ligation - but tubal ligation is way more common worldwide (this also varies slightly depending on geographical location, income, etc.). [11/n]
cambridge.org/core/journals/…

This goes to show that availability of a particular technology isn’t enough to shift the social burden of contraception, and that stigma still prevails around contraception 4 ppl w penises. [12/n] helloclue.com/articles/sex/w…

What can we do about all this? In our advocacy, we NEED to shift away from laying the contraceptive burden on ppl w a uterus, keep bringing the issue of contraceptive options for ppl w penises to the table, & discuss it w our communities. [13/n]

We also want to mention that there has been v. valuable research conducted around creating more methods 4 ppl with penises, including topical creams, pills & injections. These won’t widely available soon, but they are a step forward! [14/n]
vox.com/2018/4/4/17170…

Final notes: we acknowledge that the above discussion is mainly centered around contraceptive implications & safe sex in heterosexual relationships or relationships btwn ppl w a penis and ppl w a uterus. [15/n]

For LGBTQ+ folks the issues around contraception look very different - for MSM safe sex is mainly about STI and HIV prevention. Check out the fact sheet below for more info! [16/n]
avert.org/sites/default/…

For trans folks 🏳️‍⚧️ who are taking gender-affirming hormones, there are specific implications around hormonal birth control & considerations when picking birth control. More info on that here: [17/n]
helloclue.com/articles/cultu…

For queer women & ppl w vulvas, HIV transmission is also a concern. U can check out this factsheet for + info: avert.org/learn-share/hi…

There r also barrier methods like dental dams & specific safe sex practices for WSW! More in the video below 👇🏾 [18/n]

Finally, we need to mention that BIPOC communities & ppl w disabilities have been resisting forced sterilization for decades, and are still resisting. We must not overlook this when advocating for contraception availability! [19/n]

nwhn.org/a-brief-histor…

What are your thoughts & experiences with contraception for ppl w penises, shifting the burden & bodily autonomy? Let us know with a comment on this thread! 💬 [n/n]