Libido – Choose These Birth Control Methods If You Can’t Have Hormones!
Today I want to talk about birth control methods that will not affect your sex drive because they contain no hormones.
Before we start, though – have you heard how your sex life may be affected by your birth control method?
Was it a consideration when making your choice?
So in this post, let’s explore this idea and learn which birth control methods do not affect sex drive.
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Introduction
My dear ladies, the relationship between birth control and libido is complicated, to say the least!
If you watch my videos on this subject here or here, you will know that your desire for sex and arousal are complex issues. Thus, they are under the influence of so many different things:
- Hormones,
- Stress,
- Busy work and family life,
- Your body image,
- The relationship with your partner,
- Ongoing medical conditions,
- mood problems,
- Medicines’ side effects, etc.
Therefore, your birth control choice is just one element – but even how it affects libido is controversial.
Let’s look at the arguments below – but beforehand – do all women experience this effect in the same way?
How birth control affects your sex drive
Did you know some women feel their birth control method reduces their sex drive while others say – No! it makes them feel even sexier!!
And another group of ladies say they feel no different either way.
Some studies (in support of the second group) show that women have improved sexual experience. Whether it’s desire or arousal, it happens with different types of contraception.
Are you one of the ladies who believe their sex drive has been affected by their birth control method? If so, you probably were on the hormonal pills or patch, ring, implant, or even depot injection.
Arguments supporting the effect of birth control on libido
Now, what supports the idea that birth control methods affect your sex drive?
One of them is that these hormones may suppress your natural Testosterone.
Yes, even we ladies do have a little testosterone – and this is one of the essential hormones responsible for sexual desire.
So with low testosterone levels, your libido may be lower than without the birth control method.
Another argument is that the hormones in contraceptives – especially Oestrogen, may cause vaginal dryness.
As you may know, vaginal dryness leads to soreness or irritation and painful sex, and of course, you don’t feel like sex in that situation.
So these are a few reasons why those hormonal methods may affect libido in some women.
How you can approach low sex drive concerns
So if you are on a contraceptive and feel your sex drive has gone south on the method, what can you do?
FIRST, before you blame your method – consider other lifestyle factors which affect libido.
Have a look here for more details, but check you are not overworking or stressed from other issues.
Think about it – looking after family – kids, older or disabled relatives can put a lot of pressure on you.
Feeling unwell or having a chronic illness is another factor. In addition, I recommend you check things are ok in the relationship with your partner.
And this is one easily forgotten – check your diet!!
High cholesterol from saturated fatty foods can LOWER your sex drive, so ditch the junk food first before blaming birth control.
If you’ve gone through these lifestyle issues and libido is still a problem, chat with your doctor to check if there is no medical or mental health cause.
Birth control methods that do not affect sex drive
Clearly, the natural birth control methods may suit you better. And any birth control methods that do not have hormones may be good options. They may be less likely to irritate your intimate parts or suppress other hormones.
Condoms
Condoms have their pros and cons, but their effect on libido can be a pro if you and your partner use them right.
In addition, there are loads of condom options with different textures and whatnot that can help your experience during sex. The downsides are that it may interrupt the flow of lovemaking.
Because it’s not very effective, you may be stressed worrying about the risk of pregnancy and so forget to enjoy your sexual experience.
Non-hormonal IUD (intra-uterine device/coil)
This is also known as the Copper coil. It is one of the most effective contraception methods and is also the best form of emergency contraception.
After experiencing the effect of Oestrogen suppressing Testosterone or causing dryness, the copper coil may suit your needs.
The method has several benefits:
- It can be kept in place for 5-10 years, depending on the brand you choose
- If you get it after 45 years, you can leave it in place until you have gone past menopause
- Knowing you have such an effective method frees your mind from the fear of pregnancy
- All these contribute to making you relaxed and enjoy sex better.
But there are some drawbacks. The copper coil can cause irregular bleeding with heavy periods or spots in some ladies. So have a think – it may not be for everyone.
And even though it does not have hormones, it may be associated with sexual pain!
Some studies link the Copper coil with decreased sexual arousal, lubrication and orgasm.
More importantly, you may have increased pain on the Copper coil compared to women with no contraception.
Cervical Caps and Diaphragms
The Cervical Cap is a barrier method like the condom, and if you don’t mind applying this before sex, it might suit you.
There are no hormones, and the same goes for the Diaphragm.
However, with these methods, you generally use a spermicide that may irritate some women. That can be a downside for its use.
Withdrawal or Pull Out Method
Well, this is a popular form of natural birth control among many couples.
Here, any effect on your libido cannot be blamed on hormones.
But the technique is not very effective.
It relies heavily on how quick your partner is at his pull out game. So, if you are worried about getting pregnant, this method will not allow you to relax and enjoy sex.
Final Thoughts
So if you’ve been anxious about this, I hope I’ve helped with a few suggestions – and clarity:
- Birth control can affect women’s sex drive differently
- If you are on a hormonal method and worrying about libido,
- Please do consider other lifestyle issues, conditions and medicines before assuming it’s the pill, coil or other methods.
- If you do wish to change your method, chat with your doctor so you can safely switch to an alternative method.
More Reading
Editing by AskAwayHealth Team
Disclaimer
All AskAwayHealth articles are written by practising Medical Practitioners on a wide range of health care conditions to provide evidence-based guidance and to help promote quality health care. The advice in our material is not meant to replace the management of your specific condition by a qualified health care practitioner.
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