Contraception is not just a woman’s responsibility, says LPPKN

KUALA LUMPUR - In an age where gender equality is reshaping many aspects of life, one area that’s beginning to see change is reproductive health.

The National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) took a major step in shifting the focus toward involving men in contraception decisions, aiming to dispel the myth that family planning is solely a woman's responsibility.

At the heart of this movement is LPPKN’s Reproductive Health Unit Head, Dr Wan Hilya, passionate about fostering healthcare equality.

“When people think of LPPKN, they often assume we focus only on women’s needs. That’s simply not true. Gender equality means providing the same access to both men and women when it comes to health services,” she said during the World Contraception Day event in Menarea Ken, TTDI here recently.

To make this vision a reality, LPPKN has introduced men’s health clinics, where the focus extends beyond typical check-ups to include early detection of non-communicable diseases and their impact on men’s psychosexual well-being. The goal? To show that men’s health is just as crucial in the realm of reproductive care as women’s health.

One of the key messages Dr Wan sought to spread was that contraception decisions should be a collaborative effort between partners.

“Men played a significant role in supporting women’s reproductive health. Whether it involved planning for pregnancy or choosing a contraceptive method, both partners needed to be equally involved,” she said.

A major challenge in LPPKN’s mission was overcoming the persistent myths surrounding contraception.

Concerns over weight gain, fertility issues, and misunderstandings often created anxiety and reluctance, particularly in certain communities.

“We saw cases of women in their 40s dealing with unplanned pregnancies simply because of misconceptions about contraception,” Dr Wan said.

LPPKN encouraged men to participate in contraception discussions, particularly when their partners attended family planning sessions.

By doing so, the agency hoped to reduce anxieties and create a more supportive environment for women.

Men's Contraceptive Options

Often overlooked was the fact that men also had choices when it came to contraception.

While condoms remained a popular option, vasectomies were gaining acceptance among couples looking for long-term solutions.

“We saw men become long-term condom users, and some even opted for vasectomies after thoughtful discussions with their partners.

"These decisions were vital in promoting healthier, more balanced reproductive health,” Dr Wan added.

Contraception had long been a sensitive topic, frequently surrounded by stigma.

LPPKN actively worked to change that narrative through talks and promotional activities in both urban and rural areas.

The goal was to make contraception an open and accessible discussion.

In conjunction with World Contraception Day, the board offered free contraception to eligible groups, including the B40 community and individuals with health risks.

Collaborations with private companies also helped expand these efforts, ensuring that more homes had access to contraception information and services.

Dr Wan clarified that while LPPKN was not advocating for widespread contraception use—given Malaysia’s low fertility rate—it was focused on providing resources to those at risk of unplanned pregnancies.

A Shared Responsibility

Through education, open conversations, and greater involvement from men, LPPKN aims to foster a healthier, more equal approach to reproductive health.

The agency’s message was clear: family planning was not just a woman’s issue—it was a partnership. Both partners needed to be informed, engaged, and supportive.

“We wanted to reshape how people thought about contraception and ensure that both men and women felt equally responsible and informed when making decisions about their reproductive health," Dr Wan said.