Contraceptive surprise for women celebrating Valentine's day

13 February 2008

Women celebrating Valentine's Day with the man in their life will be heartened by new research [1] from sexual health charity fpa [2]. Almost two thirds of men aged 18-45 are receptive to the idea of using male contraception. Answering the question, ‘If a male hormonal contraceptive method became available (like the ‘male pill’) would you use it?’ 36% said yes, 26% didn't know if they would or not and only a third of men (36%) said a definite no.

Surprisingly single men were slightly more supportive of the idea than their married counterparts. Destroying the myth that only men in long-term relationships would want to use male contraception, 65% of single, widowed, separated and divorced men said yes or didn't know to using the male pill, while fractionally less (61%) of married men said yes or didn't know.

Commenting on the research, Julie Bentley, Chief Executive, fpa said:

“The male pill is still many years off from becoming a reality, but it's obvious that men are ready for the product if it becomes available. In the meantime, perhaps men could use this year's Valentine's Day as a romantic opportunity to see what else they can do to share responsibility for contraception with their partner.”

- ENDS -

For further information please contact fpa's press office on 020 7608 5265/5264. Mobile 07958 921060.

fpa (Family Planning Association) is the only registered charity working to improve the sexual health and reproductive rights of all people throughout the UK.

Notes to editors

[1] GFK/NOP World interviewed 621 men aged 18-45 on 6-18 December 2007 and 10-15 January 2008 in the United Kingdom. Weighting was applied to the data to bring it into line with national profiles.

[2] The research was carried out by fpa for Contraceptive Awareness Week (11- 17 January 2008) which is held every year to coincide with Valentine’s Day. This year’s theme is The New Man. The first week was run in 1997 by fpa to raise awareness of the issues surrounding contraceptive choice.

About the press office.