Despite a strong drop in fertility, the needs of men and women concerning family planning and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases are not being met. The traditional practice of breast-feeding is threatened by hormonal contraceptive treatments and more innocuous barrier treatments are not promoted by health service personnel. In fact, Mexican public population policies are heavily biased in favour of long term solutions even in regions like the sisal-growing area of the Yucatan where sexually transmitted diseases and the use of non-medical contraceptive methods are prevalent. Condoms, which provide an alternative for the protection of young people, prolonged breast-feeding, defence against STDs and the participation of men in the family planning process, are not promoted by the medical discourse or public health policies. Policy needs to be aligned on local practice notably the strong prevalence of gynecological problems and prolonged breast-feeding. They also fail in preventing unwanted pregnancies among adolescents. Masculine and feminine condoms should receive a prominent place in the discourse of health officials on family planning methods to mirror that of the ingenuousness of the posters in dispensaries. The authority of officials is more influential. More practical training of health personnel in the proper use of condoms to prevent them breaking, to keep them in good condition and the necessity of lubrication should also be considered. Another important problem is the absence of men who rarely visit dispensaries or the conferences of the Oportunidades programme. Young people are more sensitised because they have to attend to get student loans. Other means of reaching the adult male population need to be developed notably by social marketing