This week I have an appointment to remove my Implanon after 3 years of use and I couldn’t be more excited and frustrated at the same time.

The past three years have been what I describe as a love-hate relationship with my implant. On the good side, it has been great having one of the most (if not the most ) effective methods of birth control- with 99% effectiveness.

However, like everything good in life it has come at a great price- spotting (sometimes for weeks), more headaches and extreme mood-swings; all listed as possible side effects of the implant.

If you use or have used any type of hormonal birth control you know what I am talking about. I mean, you only need to type “side effects of hormonal contraceptives” on a browser and you will find forums and pages dedicated to the topic.

If you do not have ovaries and you are reading this please know that it is really hard for women to find a contraceptive that fits their lifestyles, that they can afford, and that works for their bodies.

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So, why do we keep using hormonal contraceptives even when they cause us adverse effects? Blatantly speaking many of us are terrorized by the idea of “getting” pregnant. Using condoms – which have an 85% effective rate —as our ONLY method of birth is rather brave.

Not only do we feel the side effects of birth control, but very often we have to read/and hear sexist comments on how it is ” women’s fault” “getting pregnant” (like if men did not participate in the process) .

When it comes to birth control we also have to talk about all the women across the world are denied the right to obtain birth control – which constitutes a type of gender-based violence. A recent report showed that only 53 million women have begun using contraceptives since 2012, which is far from the goal of 120 million women experts had hoped to reach by 2020.

And I could write an entire essay on how unjust it is that women have to pay for birth control. Planned Parenthood indicated that in the U.S more than a third of female voters have struggled to afford prescription birth control at some point in their lives.

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For these and many other reasons, I simply cannot wait for the precious moment when male hormonal contraceptives are ready and available to the public- although it seems it wont be around for another 10 years. The world owes women equity when it comes to birth control. And don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe that a male pill will solve all the issues I have mentioned but it will be an opportunity for men to step up and share responsibility for birth control.

For me, it is simple: I expect that me and my partner are equally responsible for the use of birth control. And if male contraceptives become available, I think it’s time for them to carry on the torch – at least for 3 years 🙂 Or what do you think?