how do birth control pills affect libido?
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Androgen hormones include testosterone, which has a significant impact on sex drive. Hormonal birth control methods decrease the ovaries' production of androgen hormones, which can diminish sexual desire, enjoyment, and lubrication.
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A study appearing today in Human Reproduction found women taking a birth control pill were less sensitive to scents, which may negatively affect their sex drives. Researchers tested the ability of 60 women not taking the pill to detect six smells at various points in their menstrual cycles.
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But if you notice yourself feeling sad, angry or annoyed after you start taking the pill without any obvious reason, it could be the result of your hormones. According to studies, mood changes affect four to 10 percent of women who take hormonal birth control pills.
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Sometimes, birth control pills help migraines. Sometimes, they make headaches worse. How birth control affects migraines depends on the woman and on the level of hormones present in the pill she takes. A drop in estrogen levels can trigger migraines.
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In a 2013 review of studies published since the 1970s on the pill and sexual function, researchers found that more than 6 in 10 people using the pill had no changes in libido, more than 2 in 10 had an increase in libido, and about 1 in 10 did report a decrease in libido (2).
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Change your birth control pills All birth control pills are different, so it's possible your doctor can find one that has a lower dose of estrogen and doesn't affect your appetite or your weight.
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Studies on thousands of women suggest that most don't notice a decrease in libido from using the pill, and the most recent research finds that relationship issues may be behind any post-pill dip in desire.
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ADHD stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin) also can affect a person's libido, although reports vary regarding that effect — some sources say stimulants increase libido, while others say they reduce sex drive and cause erectile dysfunction.
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After stopping birth control, you may experience a higher sex drive than you did when you were on birth control. This is due to the decreased levels of estrogen and progesterone, which have an impact on the amount of testosterone your body produces.
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Now, the risks: Taking oral contraceptive pills means introducing additional hormones when the body does not need them - this may have short-term effects like spotting, nausea, headaches, abdominal pain, tender breasts, frequent vaginal discharge or decreased sexual desire.
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Oral contraceptives contain hormones that stop ovulation. If you use them perfectly, they're a great way to prevent pregnancy, with a 99.7% effectiveness rate. But in reality, a lot of women forget to take them every day, so the typical use rate is only 91%.
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You might feel friskier. A small number of women find that the pill drives their libido down, especially if they take some very low-dose pills. So a few women, about 15% in one study, may find themselves in the mood more often after they stop their birth control.
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The pill (various brands) In a 2013 review of studies published since the 1970s on the pill and sexual function, researchers found that more than 6 in 10 people using the pill had no changes in libido, more than 2 in 10 had an increase in libido, and about 1 in 10 did report a decrease in libido (2).
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Mood changes: The hormones in birth control pills may increase the risk of depression. Perceived weight gain: Weight gain may occur while taking the pill due to fluid retention. However, a 2017 systematic review concluded that hormonal contraceptives are unlikely to affect most women's weight.
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The Connection Between Antibiotics and Birth Control Pills If you take this medication while using birth control pills, it decreases the hormone levels in your birth control pills. This decrease in hormone levels can affect whether ovulation is prevented. In other words, your birth control becomes less effective.
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Dr. Sarah Hill revealed that it affects “sex, attraction, stress, hunger, eating patterns, emotion regulation, friendships, aggression, mood, learning, and so many other things.” In particular, she said, women on the pill are attracted to less masculine men and are less interested in sex.
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Birth control doesn't affect fertility long-term. Some women think that long-term hormonal birth control use could “mess up” their fertility; others believe that because they're not ovulating while they're on birth control pills, patches, rings, or shots, their egg supply will be better than it would be, otherwise.