For many students today, “hook-up” culture is an aspect of university life, as many individuals explore their sexualities and newfound independence. When hearing stories of one-night stands and short-term flings, one may begin to question who is risking the most to be in these precarious situations. The answer is that women risk the most and often try the hardest to prevent these risks.
Disregarding immediate dangers and differing gendered impacts, individuals who have the potential to become pregnant face a huge risk when having sexual encounters. Combatting this risk then creates a pressure for women who wish to be promiscuous to partake in a form of contraceptive method.
Women have access to 13 different methods of contraception including reversible long acting contraception, emergency contraception, and sterilisation. All of which, unfortunately, carry the potential of physiological sequelae affecting the female body.
The Current State of Oral Contraption
A poll on Stirling University’s shared story on Instagram showed that 34 per cent of sexually active students were currently taking some form of oral contraceptive, including either the combined oral contraceptive pill or the progestogen-only pill.
According to the NHS website, the progestogen-only pill can result in risk of ovarian cysts, breast cancer, and weight gain. The combined pill includes the same risks as the progestogen-only pill as well as others such as high blood pressure, blood clots, and cervical cancer. This shows that for many students at Stirling University, taking responsibility for protection and, therefore, taking the risk of having these side effects is part of everyday life.
On the other hand, men only have access to two kinds of contraception which are the male condom and the vasectomy. There is no form of oral or hormonal contraceptives for men on the market at this moment.
The introduction of a male birth control pill would ensure women and men both have an equal opportunity to take responsibility in ensuring safe sex.
Contraception’s Potential Future
Although there are limited contraceptive options for men today, there are a couple male contraceptives being studied and developed, including YCT-529 and NES/T.
As of 2025, clinical trials have shown that the non-hormonal oral contraceptive YCT-529 was safe and reversible. If released, the pill would be taken daily and would prevent the body from being able to create sperm. Research conducted so far has shown no side effects attributed to YCT-529. However, the efficiency of YCT-529 has not yet been researched and more trials must be carried out before YCT-529 can be regulated.
NES/T is a daily gel which would absorb through the skin to increase testosterone and progestin levels in the body, causing signals to be sent towards the brain to stop sperm production. Research has shown NES/T to be effective, safe, and reversible. The gel is expected to go through the first phase 3 study of a male hormonal contraceptive ever, which is a huge step towards regulatory approval.
How do Students Feel About Contraception?
Brig interviewed 4 university-age students to uncover a student-focused perspective on the pill.
When asked, male participants stated that they would not “expect” their potential partner to be on an oral form of contraception. However, one participant argued that it would be a “good idea” for sexually active women to be on birth control.
When asked if they would take a male hormonal pill (with similar risks to current options available for women), both men answered no. One participant furthered this by saying he would “never” take a pill that has the same potential risks as the combined oral contraceptive pill or the progestogen-only pill. However, if the side effects were limited to potential headaches and sickness, he would then take it. The other participant said he would only take a contraceptive pill if there were zero side effects.
When the female participants were asked if they would “expect” their partner to take a male hormonal pill, both individuals said “no”, but said they would appreciate it if their partner did. Both individuals expressed that they believed women were already taking on the risk of pregnancy, so it would seem rational for their partner to take some responsibility in preventing these risks.
The idea that sexually active individuals should take precautions to decrease the chance of an unwanted pregnancy is logical, however, the risks associated with taking currently available forms of oral contraception are just not worth it for some individuals.
One of the interviewees was a student who is currently not taking any oral contraceptives. She stated that she would “never consider the pill as an option” due to the potential side effects, emphasising her experience in knowing individuals who developed symptoms of depression and personality changes, while on the pill.
According to Monique Tello, a clinical instructor at Harvard medical school, this is a valid concern. Hormonal forms of contraceptive measures, including oral contraception, are linked to an elevated risk of symptoms of depression. Hormonal pills have the potential to affect a woman’s mood, libido and their cognition.
However, for many individuals, the positive side effects of the pill outweigh the negative. Another interviewee said she is currently on the pill and has never personally experienced any negative side effects that she would directly attribute to being on the pill. Showcasing that, while not for everyone, the pill is still beneficial for many individuals.
Equal access to contraception would reduce the disproportionate burden placed on women in sexual scenarios, and new research into male contraceptives shows a gradual shift towards gender equity.
However, until research is further advanced, it is essential that all individuals are fully informed of current contraceptive options and the risks associated with each option, regardless of their mixed opinions about them.
Featured image credit – Pexels.com
Politics & Sociology student
