Male contraception

Male contraception allows people with a penis to control their fertility and to share contraceptive responsibility with their partner. Sexual health centres or your doctor can give you personalised and confidential advice.

Reversible contraception methods

available in Switzerland:

• The male condom is made of thin, flexible material in the shape of a ‘finger’ that is unrolled over the erect penis. It acts as a barrier and prevents sperm from entering the vagina, thus protecting against pregnancy. It also protects against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI).
  Further information

not yet available in Switzerland:

• Heat-based contraception increases the temperature of the testicles and so reduces the production of sperm. There are different devices that do this:
  • Specially designed underwear or a thermal ring that push the testicles upwards closer to the base of the penis.
  • A heating device located inside specially adapted underwear that increases the temperature of the testicles.

  After using heat-based contraception for several months, the sperm count is reduced and fertilisation is no longer possible.  A medical consultation along with a sperm analysis to confirm a normal sperm count should be done prior to using this method.  Sperm analysis checks will be carried out regularly while using heat-based contraception.

  Currently there is insufficient scientific research into how effective and safe this method is. Therefore, the use of this method is each individual’s own responsibility.

• Hormonal methods in the form of injections or gels are still in the research and experimental phase.
• Synthetic gels that are injected or valves that are implanted in the spermatic ducts are also being researched. The aim of this contraceptive method is to block the sperm and therefore prevent fertilisation.

You can find out more information about advances in these contraceptive options at sexual health centres or at your doctor’s.
 

Irreversible contraception methods

• Vasectomy (sterilisation) is a simple procedure carried out at an outpatient clinic under local anaesthetic. It involves tying and cutting the vas deferens (the tubes that carry sperm out of the testes). After a period of time, the semen no longer contains sperm and therefore pregnancy is prevented.
  Male erection and quantity of ejaculated semen remain unchanged after sterilization (vasectomy.
  Vasectomy is a method of permanent contraception and is suitable for persons who do not want to have children, or who do not want to have any more children.
  Further information

Good to know

• Coitus interruptus, (also known as the "withdrawal" or "pull out" method), does not provide effective protection against pregnancy.
• Anyone can visit a sexual health centre for a variety of reasons, such as: sexuality, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and unexpected pregnancies, wanted or unwanted.
• The best way to protect yourself from HIV or other sexually transmitted infections is to practise safer sex:
  1. Always use a condom, male or female, for penetrative sex (vaginal or anal sex).
  2. For more personal sexual advice, do the safer sex check on www.lovelife.ch.

2021 SANTÉ SEXUELLE SUISSE, Fondation suisse pour la santé sexuelle et reproductive; ALECSS Association suisse latine des spécialistes en santé sexuelle, Éducation – Formation – Conseil; faseg, Fachverband sexuelle Gesundheit in Beratung und Bildung