Does the Pill Lower Sex Drive?

by Alexandra Gekas | Comments

A recent study found that the use of hormonal contraceptives
such as the pill, the ring and the patch may lower women's libidos. While the
was very simple and the results "very preliminary," its analysis of 1,046
medical students, who only used one form of birth control each, found that those
with the highest sexual function were using non-hormonal contraception.

If you think about it, it makes sense. Many of the sexual
urges we have, by natural selection I imagine, come from the need to reproduce.
So if we're not ovulating (which is what the pill does), then we won't have
that "come hither" urge.

I'm not a doctor, so my "common sense" approach to this
issue is just that, but either way, it's pretty ironic. The pill, which should allow
us to enjoy sex as something separate from reproduction, stops us from wanting
sex as much. Then if we go off the pill to increase sex drive, but don't want
to get pregnant, well, we all know how that can get us into trouble.

There are non-hormonal options, but they don't work as well,
and are less convenient. They also take the responsibility out of women's
hands, which was the whole liberating quality of the pill, to give us control
over our own reproduction.

Now, the pill has worked plenty well for women over the last
50 years, in fact the anniversary was just this week, so this is just something
else to think about, especially if you're suffering from a low libido.

If you are suffering from a lower sex drive and don't think
the pill is to blame, check out "10 Sex Drive Stealers for Women," and maybe you'll
find another explanation. Or, if you're thinking about having a baby, take the
WD quiz "Are You Ready to Have a Baby" to find out.

- Alexandra Gekas,
Associate Editor