Birth control pills and libido

Perhaps you already have some experience with birth control pills, or maybe you are just “testing the waters” and considering starting your adventure with oral hormonal contraception.

Remember: just because someone's body reacted in a certain way doesn't mean your body will react exactly the same way . When it comes to birth control pills, it's incredibly important to choose the right one, so if you notice any side effects, contact your gynecologist, who will guide you through the process and help you choose the best protection for you.

It is crucial not to demonize hormonal contraception and in case of possible side effects, focus on factual information and observation of your own body!

Birth control pills and the hormonal system

It seems that there must be something to it, since a decrease in sexual desire appears in the discussion as one of the troublesome side effects. In most cases, it is simply a matter of improperly selected contraception .

This is because these agents theoretically regulate hormones (from a medical point of view), but in reality their levels are very individual.

With properly selected contraceptive pills, your sex drive should return to its proper place.

Besides, sometimes it is simply a matter of habit . For example, most women feel a greater desire for sex around ovulation, so if we take pills that inhibitovulation , it should not be surprising that the level of libido changes.

Anti-androgenic agents have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin and hair, but they can negatively affect libido. For example, the estrogen component of the pills (always present in two-component pills) is responsible for reducing free androgens (including testosterone), while the progesterone component (which may have various properties, such as anti-androgenic properties) causes their reduced production.

Relatively recently, tablets containing chlormadinone acetate , a derivative of natural progesterone, have become available on the Polish market. Taking them does not affect libido levels, so if that is what you are afraid of or have had negative experiences with other tablets, this may be the right option for you.

Choosing the right contraception is key!

Even if you have experienced a negative effect of contraception on your libido in the past, this does not mean that absolutely every type of contraceptive pill will have the same side effects .

Of course, it's good to do your own research, but reading articles on the internet is no substitute for talking to a doctor . You can talk to him about any concerns, and if you're looking for something specific (like improving your skin or not losing your libido) - say so!

There are varioustypes of contraception available on the Polish market (not just hormonal!), so there is a good chance that you will find one that will not have a negative impact on your quality of life. Pills are among the most effective methods of preventing pregnancy , so if you want maximum protection, it is worth not giving up on your search.

While it may take some time, with the help of a good gynecologist, you will likely eventually find a type of contraception that won't cause weight gain, loss of libido, or other side effects.

Also read our article about birth control pills and their effect on your period .

Do birth control pills cause a decrease in libido?

A decrease in libido is not always a direct result of taking contraceptive pills.

In one of the papers devoted to this very issue, 36 studies were compared. The group of subjects totaled 8,422 people. Only 15% reported a decrease in libido , the rest did not notice any changes (and some of them even declared an increase in sexual drive!). However, it is difficult to clearly link these results to hormonal contraception , as libido is something very individual and can be influenced by many factors .

If you are taking oral hormonal contraception and feel sluggish because your body is retaining water, your lack of desire for sex may be due to your lack of feeling attractive in the eyes of your partner. It also happens that birth control pills affect the vaginal mucosa , leading to its drying, which is why we start (even subconsciously) to avoid sex. It is worth mentioning that vaginal dryness does not have to be caused by hormones and can be easily remedied, for example by using the right lubricant .

However, if your libido has decreased and you want to rule out other causes, before blaming contraception, first analyze whether you have recently started taking any other medications . Antidepressants, sleeping pills, and blood pressure medications can reduce the desire for sex.

It has also been known for a long time that stressful events, lack of sleep, a diet rich in fats and simple sugars, or general mental condition also affect libido. It is therefore worth investing time in a varied diet , exercise , an adequate amount of sleep , and all the other factors that we know help us stay in good health, but in the daily rush it can be difficult for us to take care of them.

In addition, even a person with a healthy hormonal balance may feel a lack of desire for sex if, for example, they are going through a crisis in their relationship or do not feel completely comfortable with their partner. The relationship with the person with whom we are going to have sex largely affects whether our body will cooperate with us.

Sometimes getting your sex drive back shouldn’t necessarily be a priority, and instead it’s better to focus on working on the relationship itself, communication, and solving problems together. You’ll definitely feel the positive effects on many levels.

Hormonal contraception and libido: remember!

You already know that decreased sexual drive can be the result of many factors.

If you encounter this problem, it is worth knowing that stopping birth control pills is not the only way to deal with it. Above all, report any side effects to your doctor, especially if they bother you or interfere with your daily life.

However, sometimes – instead of trying to increase libido at all costs – it is worth taking a closer look at other areas of your life. It may turn out that the desire for sex will return when you take some time off and finally get some sleep.

It is important to remember that there are people who simply react badly to hormonal contraception. I am not encouraging anyone to try a tenth type of pill if all the previous ones have caused a series of side effects and drastically lowered well-being. I could also talk for hours about how unfair it is that women bear most of this burden, and a male contraceptive pill, although we hear about it from time to time, is still not on the horizon.

If the pills have caused you a lot of side effects - you should_should change your type of contraception. For many people, decisions like this ultimately come down to calculating profits and losses. There are many methods of preventing pregnancy available - we write about them here, and you can talk to your gynecologist who will help you choose the best one for you.

A. Boozalis, NT Tutlam, CC Robbins, JF Peipert, Sexual Desire and Hormonal Contraception , "Obstetrics & Gynecology" 2016, vol. 127, i. 3, p. 563-572, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4764410/ [accessed on 25/06/2021].
AR Davis, PM Castaño, Oral Contraceptives and Libido in Women , "Annual Review of Sex Research" 2004, vol. 15, i. 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/10532528.2004.10559822?needAccess=true [accessed on 25/06/2021].
Z. Pastor, K. Holla, R. Chmel, The influence of combined oral contraceptives on female sexual desire: A systematic review , "The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care" 2013, vol. 18, i. 1, p. 27-43.