The Mental Load of Contraception: Why Is It Always Placed on Women and AFAB People?

For decades, conversations about birth control have revolved around one central assumption — that it’s the responsibility of women and those assigned female at birth (AFAB) to prevent pregnancy. From remembering daily pills to managing side effects and scheduling appointments, the mental and emotional labor surrounding contraception is overwhelmingly gendered. Yet, this imbalance raises an important question: why has the responsibility for birth control remained so lopsided, even in 2025?

What the Research Says

A quick search for “male birth control pill” yields familiar explanations — *side effects, lack of funding, ethical barriers, and cultural hesitancy.* According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), while promising trials for male hormonal contraception have existed for decades, limited investment and public skepticism have slowed progress (Amory, 2021).

Historically, contraception began as a male-centered innovation. Early barrier methods like condoms and withdrawal were developed for men. But once scientists discovered how to manipulate the female reproductive cycle through hormones, research — and funding — shifted toward women’s bodies (Watkins, 1998).

As a result, people with uteruses became the default subjects for birth control development, shouldering both the physical and emotional consequences of family planning.

The Mental Load of Family Planning

In a post Roe v. Wade landscape, access to reproductive care remains fragmented and politicized across the U.S. The burden of preventing pregnancy falls disproportionately on women and AFAB individuals — who must not only navigate healthcare systems, but also face the social expectation to “manage” family planning.

This invisible workload is a form of mental labor — the emotional and cognitive effort required to plan, remember, and organize reproductive responsibilities. Studies show that women spend significantly more time managing contraceptive logistics than male partners, from tracking cycles to discussing options with providers (Littlejohn, 2013). Meanwhile, the inequity persists despite biological realities: a person with a uterus can conceive only a few days each month, whereas someone producing sperm can cause pregnancy every day of the year. Yet contraceptive innovation continues to prioritize female bodies rather than addressing sperm suppression or male-focused methods.

Cultural and Social Factors

Beyond science, cultural expectations perpetuate this imbalance. Society has long tied fertility control to notions of femininity, responsibility, and morality. Research suggests that gender norms — such as viewing pregnancy prevention as “a woman’s job” — strongly influence how couples negotiate contraception (Miller et al., 2014).

This imbalance extends beyond physical health. The emotional strain of bearing sole responsibility for preventing pregnancy can impact mental well-being and relationships. A study in Contraception (2020) found that women report higher stress and anxiety related to contraceptive decisions than men, reflecting a deep-rooted social pattern of unequal reproductive responsibility (Bailey et al., 2020).

Reimagining Contraceptive Responsibility

If reproductive care is truly about equity and shared responsibility, the solution requires more than scientific innovation — it requires a cultural shift. Imagine a world where conversations about contraception include both partners equally. Where research funding for male birth control receives the same urgency as female contraceptive innovation. Where mental load is recognized as part of reproductive health, not just an invisible burden to bear.

Equitable contraception isn’t simply about fairness — it’s about creating a more sustainable, shared approach to reproductive freedom.

The Life Workshop’s Perspective

At The Life Workshop, we recognize that reproductive health goes beyond biology — it’s deeply emotional, cultural, and personal. The mental load of contraception is a reflection of larger social systems that expect women and AFAB people to carry more than their share of responsibility. We believe in reimagining reproductive care as a shared journey — one where partners, providers, and communities work together to support balanced decision-making, emotional well-being, and equitable health outcomes.

Through education, conversation, and compassionate support, we aim to create spaces where everyone can explore their reproductive choices freely and without shame. Because your health — and your peace of mind — should never be a burden you carry alone.

References

• Amory, J. K. (2021). “Development of Male Contraception: Where Are We Now?” *Human Reproduction Update, 27*(5), 889–907.

• Bailey, M. J., Jones, L., & O’Neill, C. (2020). “Gendered Experiences of Contraceptive Responsibility and Stress.” Contraception, 101(2), 89–95.

• Littlejohn, K. E. (2013). “Hormonal Contraceptive Use and Discontinuation Because of Dissatisfaction: Differences by Race and Education.” Demography, 50(5), 1399–1419.

• Miller, W. B., Barber, J. S., & Gatny, H. H. (2014). “The Effects of Ambivalence on Contraceptive Behavior and Unintended Pregnancy.” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 46(2), 91–99.

• Watkins, E. S. (1998). *On the Pill: A Social History of Oral Contraceptives, 1950–1970. Johns Hopkins University Press.

• World Health Organization (2023). Contraceptive Research and Development: The Next Generation of Male Contraceptives.