Contraception and your libido (women)

As you know, there are many forms of contraception on the market. Of course, the only way to protect yourself against STI’s as well as pregnancy is to use condoms, and dental dams if you’re also indulging in oral play. Many people who are in monogamous relationships decide to stop using condoms and simply rely on the woman taking a contraceptive that will prevent her becoming pregnant. If you do this, it is strongly advisable for you and your partner to go to a sexual health clinic and get yourselves checked out. If you both come back clean, then that’s great. But if you don’t take the tests and start to have sex without condoms, then you run the risk that one of you has an STI already, and you’re passing it back and forth between yourselves.

If you do decide to stop using condoms and rely solely on other forms of contraception, it’s important to do your research and find the form that’s right for you. When visiting your doctor, they often tell you of side effects such as possible weight gain, or slightly increased risks of heart attacks and blood clots. However, they don’t often discuss the effect these contraceptives may have on your sex drive. Some can significantly affect your libido making you want to have sex less often – which then defeats the point of using the protection in the first place!

It’s important to remember that every woman is different, and not everyone will react in the same way to varying forms of contraception. The only way you can truly find out what your body will do is to try them for yourself. It’s worth remembering though, that if your chosen form of contraception doesn’t agree with you in any shape or form (not just affecting your libido) then you must change. Just because you have started taking one type of protection, doesn’t mean you have to stick with it forever. You have the right to chop and change and find one that is suitable for you.

Types of contraception include:

·         Injection
The injection releases progestogen into the body, which prevents ovulation (you won’t release any eggs from your ovaries) and thickens the mucus on your cervix to prevent sperm getting to an egg.

Your periods often become irregular or even stop. This can be disruptive to your life, as it is very inconvenient when a period arrives without you expecting it, and means you have to carry sanitary protection around all the time to prevent mess. This in itself can be a passion killer.

Side-effects of this contraceptive method include weight gain, headaches, tender breasts, mood swings… need I go on? If you suffer from any of these potential side-effects, it’s likely the last thing on your mind will be having sex.

·         Implant
The implant also releases progestogen into your bloodstream, giving the same protection as the injection.  This contraceptive generally works for three years, so you don’t need to worry about protection (except for STI’s!) for that time.

Again, your periods can be irregular, and you may temporarily experience headaches, mood changes and breast tenderness. There is no evidence to suggest this method, once the hormones are regulated, will affect your libido.

·         Mini-pill
The progestogen-only pill must be taken at the same time every day for it to be effective. It is advisable to set an alarm to remind you, and be particularly careful when you are travelling, and are going from one time zone to another. 

This pill thickens the mucus of the cervix, hindering sperm in its progress to the womb in search of an egg. It also makes it difficult for the womb to accept a fertilised egg. Please note, in most cases the mini-pill does not prevent ovulation therefore is not as effective at preventing pregnancy as many contraceptives.

As there is only progestogen in this pill, there are very few side-effects and it is unlikely to affect your libido. You may, however, experience some irregularity in periods and spotting in between.

·         Combined Pill
The combined pill contains oestrogen as well as progestogen, which stops ovulation on top of thickening the mucus on the cervix and altering the lining of the womb. This makes it much more effective as there is no egg for sperm to fertilise!

Other positive points include the reduction of pain during periods, less bleeding and PMS. However, you have a higher risk of thromboses, so women who are considered high-risk (i.e. you smoke, drink or are overweight) are not advised to take the combined pill. Breast tenderness, mood swings, acne and headaches are amongst the side-effects. These effects vary from pill to pill, therefore it is important to change if you are experience extreme effects. As some of these pills are reducing the testosterone in your body – you are likely to find that these will affect your sex drive, as the male hormone testosterone enhances your libido.

·         Intrauterine system
A small plastic device is fitted into the womb, releasing progestogen into the body, thickens the mucus on the cervix, and thins the lining of the womb.

The effect is instantaneous and lasts for five years. It can, however, be taken out at any time. Your periods are likely to be lighter and shorter, but irregular for the first three months.

Temporary side-effects include breast tenderness and acne. However, once the symptoms settle down, there is little to suggest your sex drive will be unduly reduced.

·         Intrauterine device (or coil)
Similar to the above, but made from copper as well as plastic. This stops an egg from implanting. It works as soon as it is fitted into the womb and can stay in for three to ten years, meaning you don’t have to worry about contraception.

Downsides include the possibility of pain when it is being put in, and your periods can be longer and more painful. You are also subject to mood swings. These factors put together can affect your sex drive, and occasionally the IUCD coil has been known to prevent women from having children in the future – although these cases are extremely rare.

As always, remember that this is general advice. Your doctor is the expert, so if in doubt, make an appointment and specifically ask to be talked through all the different options to see which is right for you.  Contraceptives do mess around with your hormones, so when you are getting used to them, you are bound to notice changes in yourself – but give it chance to settle down and see how you get on.  But remember, if something is not right for you, you have the right to change. There are many different types of contraceptive available, try them all if need be! Many women are lucky and find the right one immediately, and very rarely change. Let’s hope that’s you!