Two thirds of women now say they want boyfriends to take the male contraceptive pill. So when is it gonna happen?

New research has confirmed what we already knew – it falls solely to women alone to arrange contraception in almost half of British relationships.

But now 65 per cent say they want their boyfriends to try the male contraceptive pill. Just a third wouldn’t be open to it as they’re convinced their partner would forget to take the pill on a daily basis. The male contraceptive has been on the horizon for a while, after news last year that human trials had taken place, but men had decided against taking the pill thanks to the same negative side effects women have experienced for years.

Almost two thirds of British women confess that they’d be keen for their long-term partner to trial the new male contraceptive pill, providing ‘double the protection’ and as ‘an alternative to condoms’. A small minority admit they’d be open to it for their partners peace of mind that they’re not going to get pregnant. The research, from VoucherCodesPro website, spoke to nearly 3,000 British women in long term relationships.

Initially all respondents were asked ‘Whose role is it in the relationship to manage contraception?’ to which almost half of respondents (49 per cent) said it was down to them. Just a third of respondents, 32 per cent, said it was the role of their partner, whilst the remaining 19 per cent said they shared the role, whether taking it in turns or both doing their part to protect from STI’s and unplanned pregnancies.

A quarter of women said they’d like men to take contraception because it would “be like double the protection”, 19 per cent said it would be a good alternative to condoms and 15 per cent said they’d like to share the responsibility. 14 per cent of women said that they’d like men to take the pill because being expected to saddle the responsibility wasn’t fair, while 12 per cent admitted they could be forgetful at taking their pills, so would be covered if they were to forget.

A further seven per cent felt that it would be a great idea for their partner to trial taking the pill as to put their mind at ease that they are indeed protected by the pill. According to the poll, of the 35 per cent who wouldn’t be comfortable with their partner trying out the male contraceptive pill, 56 per cent were worried that their partner would forget to take it, preferring to take the pill themselves and know they’re almost totally protected against pregnancy.

George Charles, a spokesperson for the website who conducted the poll, said:  “It’s an interesting concept, the male contraceptive pill. There are already so many different options available – condoms, the female contraceptive pill, spermicide and so on – but a pill is far more convenient for many to use.

“It makes sense for each in the relationship to be open to taking the pill, but people are always going to be sceptical to begin with about something so new and traditionally a female thing to do.”

@rosielanners