Here’s What You Should Know

by Crystal Raypole

Considering a new method of birth control? You’ve probably also spared a few thoughts (worries, even) for all those potential side effects you’ve heard about, such as decreased libido.

It’s true that nearly every birth control method could cause some type of side effect. Yet for many people, side effects are relatively minor and worth the benefits of:

• control over reproductive health
• improved acne
• lighter periods

Any type of birth control might affect libido, though the specific effects you experience can vary depending on the method you choose.

Condoms might factor into vaginal irritation and other discomfort, while spermicide products could cause itching and other irritation.

Hormonal birth control is incredibly effective at preventing pregnancy, but it can also contribute to some unwanted side effects, including decreased libido.

You might generally agree that the benefits of birth control — namely, preventing pregnancy — outweigh a potential decrease in libido. All the same, a noticeable change in sexual desire may not necessarily be, well, desirable.

When it comes to sexuality, your libido is only one part to consider. Physical arousal, the ability to orgasm, and any pain or irritation you experience during sex can all affect your interest in sexual activity.

You could have a high libido, but find it difficult to feel aroused. (Yep, they’re two different things.) Perhaps you don’t have any trouble getting in the mood or experiencing arousal, but you often experience pain during sex. Maybe you have trouble climaxing easily, if at all.

Birth control, especially hormonal varieties, might factor into some of these issues. But — and this is an important “but” to consider — not everyone experiences a decrease in libido when using birth control. Some people, in fact, notice an increased libido.

A few possible explanations for why you may experience a heightened libido:

• It’s understandable to feel less interested in sex if you’re worried about getting pregnant. Birth control can help relieve those fears, which might then increase your desire for sex.
• Choosing a method of birth control you don’t have to use right before sex can make it easier to stay in the moment with your partner(s). This can make it easier to fully enjoy yourself without any distractions or worries about finding the right moment to hit pause.
• If you use hormonal birth control to help ease symptoms of health conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis, you could also notice a higher libido as your symptoms improve.

A 2013 reviewTrusted Source considered findings from 36 different studies on sexual desire in people using combined oral contraceptives, which are birth control pills that contain both estrogen and progestin.

Among the 8,422 participants who took oral contraceptives, 15 percent, or 1,238 people in total, did report a decrease in libido. But another 1,826 people (just over 21 percent) said their libido increased. The majority of participants reported no change in libido.

Authors of a 2016 reviewTrusted Source considered findings from 103 studies exploring the possible effects of contraceptives on sexuality. They found evidence to support the following positive outcomes:

• The hormonal IUD may lead to less pain during sex and increased libido after a year of use.
• Both hormonal and nonhormonal (copper) IUDs may increase libido, physical arousal, satisfaction with sex, and frequency of sexual activity.
• The vaginal ring has been linked to increased libido, arousal, and sexual satisfaction, along with vaginal lubrication and improved orgasm.
• The implant may boost arousal, sexual satisfaction, and the ability to achieve orgasm while helping reduce pain during sex and anxiety around sex.
• Internal condoms can promote greater sexual comfort since they offer improved lubrication, can be placed ahead of time, are less likely to break, and can improve sensation during sex.

Hormonal contraceptives work by releasing pregnancy-preventing hormones into your body. For some people, these hormones might cause various physical and sexual side effects, including:

• fatigue
• dizziness
• nausea
• bloating
• weight gain
• painful or tender breasts
• depression
• anxiety
• irregular periods or spotting
• yeast infection
• cramping
• increased vaginal dryness
• changes in orgasm frequency or intensity

Any of these side effects can leave you less interested in having sex.

Example

Let’s say you and your partner(s) are cuddling on the sofa. They’re doing that thing you really like with their tongue on your neck, and you think “Yeah, sex might be nice.”

Still, you aren’t all that turned on, and your body isn’t shouting “Yes, now would be good!” like it sometimes does.

Or maybe you started taking the pill to help lighten up painful periods, but over the past several weeks, you’ve started feeling a little low.

In the past, you’ve always aimed to have sex at least once a week, but lately you’ve felt so tired and drained that you haven’t reached out to your partner(s) for nearly a month.

Some experts have theorizedTrusted Source changes in libido may happen because hormonal birth control reduces testosterone in your bodyTrusted Source. But researchers have yet to find conclusive support for this idea.

Many people using contraceptives have lower testosterone levels than those not using contraceptives without experiencing any changes in libido.

To sum up: Researchers haven’t come to any conclusions about how hormonal birth control might directly affect libido. Yet it’s pretty clear that many people do experience some changes.

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