Men consider using contraceptives

Family planning programs have been around for years with contraceptives available for both men and women. So far, women have largely been left with the responsibility for contraception, but as they learn of the health risks associated with the birth control pill, for example, the search for alternatives intensifies.

And hopes are high, with scientists promising to launch a new male contraceptive within three to five years.

The big question remains, however, do men really want it? The Jakarta Post talked to three men about their views on using contraceptives.

Rikza, a 37-year-old assistant manager at a private TV station:

Right now, the one using a contraceptive is my wife. She's using an intra-uterine device. The intention is to plan birth. My first and second children are three years apart. When we wanted to have another child, my wife only had to take out the device. Our third child is five years younger than the second.

For us, the benefit of using a contraceptive is family planning. At least my wife could breast-feed each of our children for one to two years. And so far, there's been no complaint from my wife.

There are male contraceptives, but I am a very old fashioned person in this respect. I don't want to give it a try because my wife is already using it.

I do think alternative contraceptives are good but it's useless for both people to take responsibility. Maybe, for a couple who do not use a contraceptive, the husband could give it a try. But my wife is already using it, and I don't want to.

Anto, a 31-year-old IT consultant:

Right now, I am the one using a contraceptive, but, well, only if I want to use it. If I don't, then I won't.

Whether I am using a contraceptive or not is usually based on my wife's menstrual cycle. If it's her fertile period, then I use a contraceptive. If not, I don't.

Later, hopefully after having our second child, my wife and I will be using a contraceptive regularly. But at the moment, we are not making any decision on who will be responsible, me or my wife.

I find contraceptives beneficial for planning birth, as well as supporting the government's family planning program.

I know there are side effects if a contraceptive is not suitable for the person using it. My friend's wife, for instance, is using an injection, but it causes her to suffer irregular periods.

There are alternative contraceptives for men, but I don't know of specific methods besides condoms.

If there is a new male contraceptive coming, that would mean good progress. However, there is a good and bad side to this. If it was being used for a good reason it would bring good results. However, If it was used for bad things, like for those living together outside marriage, it might be dangerous. It's OK to give the new male contraceptive a try, but let's first see if the result is effective or not.

Yusuf Susilo Hartono, a 46-year-old painter and writer:

After the birth of my second child, Arum, who is now almost five years old, my wife was sterilized. From that time onward we have felt free, no longer afraid that my wife will get pregnant.

Arum and her sister Citra are 12 years apart. During that period we used the calendar system. But somehow, it failed and my wife became pregnant with Arum.

The calendar system was good because it's natural. Once my wife was using a contraceptive but she kept having headaches. She dropped the contraceptive and went back to using the calendar system.

Once, a long time ago, I used a condom, but it's a bit complicated. For me, using a condom is like deceiving yourself.