Dudes and birth control

[SharkB8]

What would happen if a guy were to take birth control as it's recommended for a woman?

I mean, aside from the fact that they won't get pregnant.

[WednesdayAddams]

It could have some unpleasant side effects:

Men who take estrogen may notice side effects including hair growth (on the head), vision changes, diabetes (type II), mood swings, changes in body temperature, changes in voice, breast-tissue growth, decreased interest in sex, skin irritation and acne, reduced body hair, change in gonadal size, stretch marks, weight gain, enlarged nipples, and a change in body odor.

[mlerose]

Traditional birth control pills contain estrogen and progesterone, so I imagine there would be effects like growing more hair on the head, possibly changes in voice, possibly growth of breast tissue and other fatty tissue, and possibly a reduction in the man's sperm count/fertility. I don't know how high the dose of the BCP would have to be in order for there to really be changes since men naturally produce a very small amount of estrogen, and they (generally) produce far more testosterone.

[Zombies!]

I have heard of some men who have been unable to access proper hormonal therapy for becoming transgender to try and use BCP to "fix" themselves.

[mlerose]

The thing about that is that it isn't as effective unless the testosterone being produced by the body is also being suppressed.

(As an aside, I have a friend who did an experiment on himself that I would not recommend anyone do. Somehow he got ahold of testosterone-blocking drugs and took them for a couple of weeks just to see how life would be different. He did not take estrogen, though. While his experiment was interesting, I think it was potentially dangerous and not something to be so cavalier about, but he didn't ask me.)

[Uthrecht]

As another aside, it's my recollection that tests with mice (and I think some other mammals) has shown that, in those species, testosterone is the more dominant compound for affecting gender-specific traits. That is, the lack of testosterone can produce more feminine male mice, and the presence of it can produce more masculine female mice. Nothing direct should be plotted to people, of course, but the point is that if you start pushing opposite gender-specific steroids into a person, you're going to have wonky side-effects.

[Jaglavak]

Instead, I recommend a birth control drug known as Noassatall. Guaranteed zero pregnancies. Of course the hormonal side effects may include testosterone build up, random creation of man-caves, and the occasional urge to guzzle beer and tell stupid jokes around a campfire. Small price to pay.

[babby]

I'll tell you what happens, I happen.
It don't work if the man takes the BCP.

[cinehead]

Are you planning on spiking my merlot?

[bengangmo]

Well guys shouldn't take "the pill"

They should put one in the left heel of each pair of shoes.
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That will they will be limp,

And guranteed no pregnancies at all