Men's views on male hormonal contraception-a survey of the views of attenders at a fitness centre in Bristol, UK.

The last three decades have seen a significant move in Western society away from traditional gender roles. How do these role changes extend to the area of family planning? Family planning researchers and service providers have focused almost exclusively on women. Scientific research is being undertaken to develop a hormonal contraceptive for men. Service providers should be asking the question: How will UK men respond to a reversible hormonal contraceptive method for males? The aim of the study is to begin answering this question. A descriptive survey explored the view of a sample of UK men towards a future, hormonal contraceptive method. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed through convenience sampling to 250 men. The response rate was 46 per cent (115). In terms of preference of contraceptive methods, the 'male pill' ranked third as a first choice and ranked first as the second choice. The results indicate that couples in an established relationship may be the appropriate target group for a 'male pill'. The tablet form was the preferred delivery method for a future male hormonal contraceptive. Perceived side effects were not well tolerated with 71 per cent (81) of respondents not prepared to tolerate any. The majority (94 per cent) expected health monitoring and 38 per cent of men were willing to pay between 5-10 per month. The results indicate a potential uptake of a future 'male pill', with couples in an established relationship as an appropriate target group. However, the study was based on a sample which was small and biased towards middle-class professionals. Further research is needed which covers a wider geographical area representing all social groups and includes women.