Interest in nonsurgical female permanent contraception among men in Portland, Oregon and eastern Maharashtra, India

Objective We examined the men's attitudes and perceptions toward the concept of female nonsurgical permanent contraception (NSPC) or novel approaches to permanent contraception (PC) that do not require incisions or surgical equipment/hysteroscope. Study design Cross-sectional survey of married/partnered men in Portland, OR, and rural eastern Maharashtra, India. Descriptive analysis was performed. Results In India (N= 150), most men (80%) anticipated that their partners would undergo PC in the future, compared to 30% in Portland (N= 170). About a third (39.6% in India, 82% in Portland) reported being uncomfortable with PC for partners due to the need for surgery. Most men (85% in India, 82% in Portland) expressed a preference for a hypothetical new method of female NSPC over surgery, if safe and effective. Conclusion Most men sampled in two diverse settings expressed interest in NSPC for women. Implications Men's perceptions of new female contraceptive methods are important to the contraceptive development process. Men may find a safe and effective nonsurgical method of permanent female contraception more acceptable than surgical PC.