These are fair points about the general lack of male birth control availability.
Keep in mind, only 20 of 320 dropped out of this study. That means almost 94% of the participants complete it. The percentage who dropped out due to mood swings appears to be somewhere between 2%-4% (this wasn't entirely clear from the write up, but either way, it's a small percentage). And according to the study, over 75% of the participants said that they would be interested in continuing to take this drug as birth control. Lastly, it sounds like the research study was somewhat successful. This is an initial trial, and it appears to be effective. It probably makes sense to halt the trial at this point, refine, try to increase effectiveness, try to decrease side effects, and try another round.
It's a drug trial. This is a good thing. While I can understand the bitterness you've described, I really don't think this study, or the men who participated in it, are even remotely appropriate targets for it.
To answer your question, "Ask yourself why those side effects and risks are OK for them to bear but not for you"? From what I've read, it sounds like the majority of men who participated in this study absolutely are willing to tolerate the side effects and take those risks!
Lastly, you mentioned those women we see in line at starbucks "are all risking a LOT to avoid pregnancy". I don't mean to take your statement too literally, but do women never quit their birth control due to side effects, or in such low numbers that they are essential zero? Keep in mind, it was only 2-4% of men who quit due to mood swings, and 6.25% overall, and this was for an experimental trial.
I found the media reaction to this study to be pretty cringe worthy. That story I just describe was converted into some variant of "birth control study terminated because men can't handle the side effects".
In general women endure the side effects because the penalty for not remaining on birth control is higher. And because we're told those symptoms are "normal" and "to be expected". And because we're expected to accept more responsibility for birth control than men are, in general. The guy carries condoms in his wallet, but in a relationship it's the woman's problem.
But yes, women do quit or change methods because they can't stand the symptoms. I quit the pill because of depression, weight gain, and loss of libido. A friend had a non-hormonal IUD removed because it escalated her monthly menstruation to the level of hemorrhage. I know one who avoids the pill because of blood pressure and cancer risks. I know others who simply endure mood swings, weight gain, etc because they don't want to get pregnant and their boyfriends or husbands loathe condoms.
There's a lot to be fixed on both sides. I think some cultural change is in order. I hope we're able to develop a version of male birth control that doesn't have severe side effects. And I wish someone would invest in research into birth control for women that is safer than what we now have too.
Keep in mind, only 20 of 320 dropped out of this study. That means almost 94% of the participants complete it. The percentage who dropped out due to mood swings appears to be somewhere between 2%-4% (this wasn't entirely clear from the write up, but either way, it's a small percentage). And according to the study, over 75% of the participants said that they would be interested in continuing to take this drug as birth control. Lastly, it sounds like the research study was somewhat successful. This is an initial trial, and it appears to be effective. It probably makes sense to halt the trial at this point, refine, try to increase effectiveness, try to decrease side effects, and try another round.
It's a drug trial. This is a good thing. While I can understand the bitterness you've described, I really don't think this study, or the men who participated in it, are even remotely appropriate targets for it.
To answer your question, "Ask yourself why those side effects and risks are OK for them to bear but not for you"? From what I've read, it sounds like the majority of men who participated in this study absolutely are willing to tolerate the side effects and take those risks!
Lastly, you mentioned those women we see in line at starbucks "are all risking a LOT to avoid pregnancy". I don't mean to take your statement too literally, but do women never quit their birth control due to side effects, or in such low numbers that they are essential zero? Keep in mind, it was only 2-4% of men who quit due to mood swings, and 6.25% overall, and this was for an experimental trial.
I found the media reaction to this study to be pretty cringe worthy. That story I just describe was converted into some variant of "birth control study terminated because men can't handle the side effects".