‘That just sounds bizarre’: factors affecting heterosexual college students’ perceptions of new sperm-targeting contraceptives

Abstract

Contraceptive responsibility has historically fallen on women in the context of heterosexual relationships, often resulting in a perceived burden on their emotional and reproductive health. We conducted in-depth, individual interviews with women and men in college to investigate factors influencing the choices they make regarding contraceptive use and more specifically their perceptions and willingness to try new sperm-targeting contraceptives. Thematic analysis revealed factors at a societal, interpersonal, and individual level affecting participants’ perceptions and imagined decisions. Societally, a perceived gendered divide continues to exist placing primary responsibility for contraceptive use on women. Interpersonally, the context of a relationship increased partners’ feelings of empathy and willingness to try alternative contraceptive methods; and individually participants remained concerned about their own sexual and reproductive safety. Findings indicate that societal level norms need to be shifted towards the acceptability of sperm-targeting contraceptives or other versions of contraceptives that act on male bodies, in addition to a greater focus on their development. It is proposed that this would help to ease the continued undue burden placed on women for reproductive health.