Different types of hormonal contraceptives
The New York Times
May 10, 2010
Risks: Birth Control Linked to Sexual Problems
By RONI CARYN RABIN
Young women who rely on hormonal birth control like the pill are at significantly higher risk for sexual dysfunction than those who use nonhormonal methods, a German study suggests.
The researchers, who questioned more than 1,000 students at six German medical schools, found that one-third of them experienced one or more forms of sexual problems associated with desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction or pain. The study appeared in the May 4 issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Students who used hormonal contraception had the lowest overall sexual function scores, and they had lower scores on desire and arousal compared with those not using any birth control or those using nonhormonal methods.
The highest scores were among those using nonhormonal contraceptives. The lowest were among users of non-oral hormonal contraceptives like injected formulas or birth control patches.
An author of the paper, Dr. Alfred O. Mück, a professor of endocrinology at University Women’s Hospital of Tübingen in Germany, suggested that contraceptive hormones might reduce circulating levels of testosterone, which is needed to stimulate sexual desire and regulate genital blood flow.
But, he added, “The biological mechanisms remain unclear so far.”
Personal comment: Some of us who have used hormonal contraceptives already knew about the annoying side effects of hormonal birth control. Doctors, mostly males, will tell you that the side effects aren’t bad or that you can get used to them, but if you have once experienced an orgasm while cycling naturally and then go on the pill or other hormones the difference in the two experiences is startling. When I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen the first year wasn’t too bad after getting used to the hormones while the breast soreness and the irregular bleeding went away. But after another year I had no libido, it was very difficult to become aroused and even when I felt as though I was aroused mentally my body wasn’t. I didn’t tent and was very dry. It was terrible! It took me a while longer to realize it was my pills that were suppressing my desire and arousal.
After coming off hormonal contraceptives it can take some women months or in a few cases years to recover from the side effects. Fortunately, after I stopped taking hormones my sex drive came roaring back and I began to cycle naturally again almost at once and I began to use an Oves cap as my primary protection and a diaphragm for flow control and contraception during menses. I’m fortunate to have very regular cycles and comfortable periods – I’m CD5 today – and enjoy the cycling of my female hormones, especially the days when I’m fertile or menstrual.
The New York Times
May 10, 2010
Risks: Birth Control Linked to Sexual Problems
By RONI CARYN RABIN
Young women who rely on hormonal birth control like the pill are at significantly higher risk for sexual dysfunction than those who use nonhormonal methods, a German study suggests.
The researchers, who questioned more than 1,000 students at six German medical schools, found that one-third of them experienced one or more forms of sexual problems associated with desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction or pain. The study appeared in the May 4 issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Students who used hormonal contraception had the lowest overall sexual function scores, and they had lower scores on desire and arousal compared with those not using any birth control or those using nonhormonal methods.
The highest scores were among those using nonhormonal contraceptives. The lowest were among users of non-oral hormonal contraceptives like injected formulas or birth control patches.
An author of the paper, Dr. Alfred O. Mück, a professor of endocrinology at University Women’s Hospital of Tübingen in Germany, suggested that contraceptive hormones might reduce circulating levels of testosterone, which is needed to stimulate sexual desire and regulate genital blood flow.
But, he added, “The biological mechanisms remain unclear so far.”
Personal comment: Some of us who have used hormonal contraceptives already knew about the annoying side effects of hormonal birth control. Doctors, mostly males, will tell you that the side effects aren’t bad or that you can get used to them, but if you have once experienced an orgasm while cycling naturally and then go on the pill or other hormones the difference in the two experiences is startling. When I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen the first year wasn’t too bad after getting used to the hormones while the breast soreness and the irregular bleeding went away. But after another year I had no libido, it was very difficult to become aroused and even when I felt as though I was aroused mentally my body wasn’t. I didn’t tent and was very dry. It was terrible! It took me a while longer to realize it was my pills that were suppressing my desire and arousal.
After coming off hormonal contraceptives it can take some women months or in a few cases years to recover from the side effects. Fortunately, after I stopped taking hormones my sex drive came roaring back and I began to cycle naturally again almost at once and I began to use an Oves cap as my primary protection and a diaphragm for flow control and contraception during menses. I’m fortunate to have very regular cycles and comfortable periods – I’m CD5 today – and enjoy the cycling of my female hormones, especially the days when I’m fertile or menstrual.
No comments:
Post a Comment