Male Contraception Without Prescription a Reevaluation of the Condom and Coitus Interruptus
Male Contraception Without Prescription A Reevaluation of the Condom and Coitus Interruptus MICHAEL J. FREE, PhD, and NANCY J. ALEXANDER, PhD CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS imple- the stigma of being associated with mented by the male were among promiscuity and venereal disease- the first birth control procedures. an association stamped on them by Even today these methods have sig- the military services and the "old nificance for almost every sexually morality" and perpetuated until active person during some stage of life, and they constitute the main or only birth control methods prac- D Dr. Free is senior research scien- ticed by many couples. Therefore tist, biology department, Battelle physicians, in particular, should Pacific Northwest Laboratories, know the background, subtleties, Richland, Wash. Dr. Alexander, strengths, and shortcomings of these associate scientist in reproductive nonprescription methods for male physiology, Oregon Regional Pri- use. mate Research Center, Beaverton, is director, Infertility Laboratory The Condom at the University of Oregon Often denigrated by being cate- Health Sciences Center, Portland. gorized as a "traditional" contra- This paper is Oregon Regional ceptive method and accorded only Primate Research Center Publica- the cursory interest given to his- tion No. 836, whose preparation torical artifacts, the condom is was supported in part by National clearly not a symbol of our times. Institutes of Health grants Nos. HD Because condoms must be used at 05969 and RR 00163. Tearsheet re- the time of coitus, in the past they quests to Dr. Michael J. Free, were perhaps too personally and Biology Department, Battelle Pacific graphically sexual for Western Northwest Laboratories, Battelle sensibilities.
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