Gender Norms, Trust, and the Future of Male Contraceptives

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Exploring the potential changes in gender norms and trust if men had more contraceptive options, including women trusting their long-term partners but being skeptical of men in general. Discusses studies on trust in relationships and highlights the positive outlook for male contraceptives and the work of nonprofit organizations like the male contraceptive initiative.

Despite research into a male contraceptive pill starting around the same time as its female counterpart, no product has ever made it to market. But that could soon change, with a new non-hormonal male pill entering human trials in the UK late last year. Ian Sample speaks to bioethicist Prof Lisa Campo-Engelstein of the University of Texas and Prof Chris Barratt from the University of Dundee about why male contraceptives have been so difficult to develop, and what kind of options are in the pipeline. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod