This article is co-authored by MEPs Katarina Barley (S&D), Stine Bosse (Renew), Rudi Kennes (The Left), Tilly Metz (Greens), Sirpa Pietikainen (EPP), Andreas Schieder (S&D)
Women1 have historically carried the burden for preventing unintended pregnancies2 while also facing political and social struggles over their right to decide if, when, and with whom to have children. The introduction of the oral pill back in the 1960s represented a major breakthrough for women’s agency over their reproductive choices, a shift that rippled into education, careers, wages, and independence. Yet, the unbalance of the “contraceptive burden” persists today - leading women to experience a disproportionate physical, financial, mental and emotional impact from contraceptive use.
It is estimated that 257 million women have an unmet need for contraception globally3, with many citing side effects and health concerns as a reason. Meanwhile, men4 can only rely on two polar options for contraception: condoms, an on-demand option, and vasectomy, a permanent method of sterilisation. These very limited options fall short of meeting men’s contraceptive needs across ages, geographies, relationship status and reproductive intentions. The estimated 121 million annual unintended pregnancies worldwide are a stark reminder that the current available options are not up to the task.
Gender equality cannot be achieved as long as reproductive agency is not attainable by everyone, everywhere
Gender equality cannot be achieved as long as reproductive agency is not attainable by everyone, everywhere. We need to enable men to take an active and self-determined role in contraception. Bodily autonomy and freedom to decide should apply to all genders. Expanded contraceptive options, including male methods would contribute to equality, including by removing barriers to education and workforce participation. It would also reduce maternal health risks: women using contraception are 30% less likely to experience high-risk pregnancies. Furthermore, studies demonstrate that male engagement in sexual and reproductive health positively impacts maternal and child health outcomes - delivering benefits for both current and future generations.
Yet, male contraceptive innovation has been somewhat stagnant for decades - but not from a lack of interest or demand. Over 70% of men surveyed5 said they would be interested in trying a novel male contraceptive and, thanks to persistent research efforts, a handful of promising products are approaching later stage clinical trials. Despite this encouraging progress, we are still far from getting these new technologies into the hands of those who want them. The costs of advancing these products through clinical development are significant, and chronic underfunding of contraceptive R&I has stalled progress. This vacuum leaves many couples without satisfying options regarding their shared contraceptive strategies6, and product developers report that the demand from men to get involved in clinical studies is growing exponentially.
When men engage in reproductive health decision-making with access to their own contraceptive methods, relationships become more equitable
It’s regrettable to note that despite European developers being involved in the development of 37 out of the 191 contraceptive products currently in the R&I pipeline, the EU has invested a little over 3 million EUR in contraceptive R&I in the last decade or so - with zero funding from 2021 onwards. The EU and its Member States should increase investments in the development of novel contraceptive technologies; through existing and upcoming initiatives, such as Horizon Europe and the future Research Framework Programme (FP10) and the European Competitiveness Fund.
Expanding contraceptive options for all is not only essential to respond to an unmet public health need: it is crucial to advance towards a gender-equal society and guarantee all individuals’ agency and autonomy over their body, their rights and their fertility. We were pleased to see this acknowledged in the recently published EU Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030. When men engage in reproductive health decision-making with access to their own contraceptive methods, relationships become more equitable, and both men and women gain greater empowerment; from the bedroom to the boardroom.
List of references
- Anyone with the capacity to get pregnant so impacted.
- Publication
- WHO / Contraception
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