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Reproductive Healthcare in the United States: AMAB Reproductive System Health

A general overview of reproductive health resources and information

Welcome to Biology 101! Here's the basics of the typically male (XY) reproductive system.

Image: Two internal views of the male genitalia and reproductive systems. One from the top view and the other, a vertical cross-section.

Contraception

Medical science today only provides two methods of male contraception, excluding the pull-out method or abstinence:

Vasectomy - a one-time, permanent surgical procedure that is 99% effective and can cost a few hundred dollars, depending on insurance coverage

Condoms - must be used during each occurrence of penetrative intercourse, is roughly 85% effective, and is largely inexpensive

The male birth control pill is in its clinical trial phase. The current listed side effect of the male pill is hypogonadism, which can cause the following: reduced sex drive, sexual dysfunction or erectile dysfunction, fatigue or hot flashes, muscle weakness or loss of muscle, depression, irritability, mood swings, pot belly, or weight gain. These are also the most common side effects of the fully-released and widely-used female birth control pills but do not include the more serious side effects of the female pill that include heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and liver tumors.

Fertility/Sperm Health

Hormonal Cycle

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