Let’s talk about something that has been a hot button topic for ages—birth control. Did you know that until 1972, many forms of contraception were actually illegal for unmarried folks? For centuries, the burden of preventing pregnancy has largely fallen on women. Sure, there are options like condoms and spermicide, but without prior planning, those can be pretty useless. When it comes to long-term solutions like the Pill or hormonal implants, it’s all on us.
And here’s a mind-blowing fact: accessible birth control for women in the U.S. didn’t become legal until 1965, when laws were changed that prohibited selling or advertising contraceptives. Even sending out pamphlets or prescriptions was illegal just a few decades ago! This shows how outdated the approach to birth control has been, especially in a patriarchal society. But get ready for some exciting news—a groundbreaking male birth control method has just won the prestigious James Dyson Award for Engineering, flipping the script on who takes responsibility for contraception.
Meet the innovative COSO, created by a brilliant engineering student named Sarah Kline. After learning that the hormone in her birth control pill was linked to a pre-cancerous condition, Sarah sought a safer alternative. What she developed is COSO: a temporary, ultrasound-based male contraceptive that is fully reversible.
How Does It Work?
At its core, there’s a small ultrasound machine filled with water based on testicle size—yep, you read that right! After an initial consultation with a healthcare provider, users can take the COSO home and use it at their convenience. They fill the device with water, heat it to a specific temperature, and take a timed “ball bath” to temporarily halt sperm production. The results? A sperm-less sac that lasts up to six months.
The fascinating part is that ultrasound has been explored for male contraception for over 40 years and appears to be safe. However, the biggest challenge has been getting men to step up for their doctor’s appointment—the same kind of appointment women have been making for ages to access birth control. Maybe the idea of a “ball bath” will motivate them? Who knows!
Explore Other Options
If you’re interested in exploring other options for starting a family, check out this free sperm donor matching group on Facebook or explore at-home insemination options with Make a Mom, which offers the only reusable option. They also have a great page explaining how at-home insemination works. For those considering a more hands-on approach, you can look into this cryobaby home intracervical insemination syringe kit for your needs. And if you want to learn more about fertility treatments, March of Dimes is an excellent resource.
In summary, the COSO ultrasound male birth control method is a game-changer that could shift the contraceptive responsibility back to men. It’s time we break the outdated norms and share the load.
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