From: mec6@quads.uchicago.edu (Rini Clarkberg)
Subject: Re: Choice for men
Reply-To: mec6@midway.uchicago.edu
Organization: University of Chicago Computing Organizations
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 05:43:37 GMT

In article <716169440@lear.cs.duke.edu> gazit@cs.duke.edu (Hillel) writes:
>
>It is well known that it is easier to break a hormone's cycle when
>there is a cycle.  I'm not surprised that Ms. magazine has not heard
>that there is no male monthly cycle, it fits their ignorance...

When I took a class called "Psyhcology of Health" in college, we
read several research articles which referred to male monthly hormonal
cycles.  This is not my area of specialization, however, so I wouldn't
know where to look it up.  But it's true -- male hormonal cycles, if they
exist, probably don't have much to do with fertility...

(And one more thing -- sure it easier to break a hormone's cycle when
it has a cycle to break, but so what?  I don't get how that relates
to birth control....)

>>Apparently these methods have been found to be safer and easier than
>>the female methods also.   
>
>Would you mind to post more details about those wonderful methods?
>Please give full details of why it is expected to work, and what
>are the risks.

One simple idea is to heat the little sperm up -- they hang in testicles,
you know, because the little buggers find 98.6 just a trifle too hot.   I
can't see any risks in heating the testicles, but it might be slightly
uncomfortable.  Then again -- I like hot tubs. :)

But let me just give you the list from Ms:

* nonsurgical vasectomy (I have no idea what this is);
* permanant contraception by injection -- an injection of chemicals is
  used to close off the vas deferens (sperm ducts), rather than cutting
  them surgically;
* potentially reversible contraception by injectible plug;
* potentially reversible contraception in which a plug, or "shug" is
  implanted in the vas deferens in an operation similar to vasectomy;
* temporary injectible contraception -- the interior of the vas deferens is
  coated with a sperm-killing solution that remains effective for up to
  five years and can be reversed with a simple injection;
* wet-heat method -- uses heat to impair sperm maturation; the testes are
  bathed in hot water every night for three weeks, providing six months
  of contraception;
* artificial cryptorchidism -- special jockey shorts are worn during the
  day to hold the testes close to the body, thereby acheiving the heat
  effect;
* ultrasound method -- ultra-short sound waves are applied to the testes 
  for five to ten minutes once every six months, efficiently achieving the
  heat effect. 

And a bit of the commentary: "Any of these methods [would be appropriate]
in all countries where inadequate medical care makes many female birth 
control methods unsafe or unavailable.  All of these methods are nonhormal... 
Two of the methods [heat based] require little or no doctor intervention
and could be put to use immediately.... Additional resources:  Issues in
Reproductive Technology -- An Anthology. H.B. Holmes, Garland Press."

Then there are condoms, my personal fav.  No side effects I know of, and
a lot safer, IMO, than messing around with hormones.

rini
Newsgroups: alt.feminism,soc.women