Would you trust a man TO TAKE THE PILL?

As scientists test a new male form of oral contraception, we ask...

- LOUISE BATY

When you're drowning in 'life admin', the last thing you want to have to deal with is another time-consuming task, like booking GP appointments for repeat prescriptions of the contraceptive pill or injection. Yet, aside from condoms, contraception has often been left to women, since the first ever birth control pill was released in the 1960s.

Despite coming in different forms, the pill doesn't suit all women, and side effects can include nausea, headaches, breast tenderness and mood swings, according to the NHS.

Now, though, there may be an alternative, a 'male birth control pill'. Although the idea has been mentioned before, various problems mean it has never materialised, but American scientists are currently testing a hormone-free contraceptive tablet for men, YCT-529, which prevents sperm production without affecting testosterone levels or disrupting libido.

'A safe and effective male pill will provide more options to couples for birth control,' said Gunda Georg, chemist and pharmacist at the University of Minnesota.

But could you really trust the man in your life to actually take 'the pill', or would you rather be the one in control?

'IT'S TIME MEN SHARED THE BURDEN'

Nichi Hodgson, 41, is an author and lives in London.