Contraception And Her Libido

When you and your girl are mulling over birth control options, avoiding pregnancy is usually the number one goal -- hence the name birth control. And if staying pregnancy-free is all you want, you’re in luck because most forms of contraceptives are very effective when used properly. But some methods of birth control can do bad things to a woman’s libido.

While each woman will react differently to a particular contraceptive, losing her libido will pretty much render the job of the contraceptive useless. All the pregnancy prevention in the world isn’t going to do either of you much good if the chosen method leaves your girl with no sex drive. Here is a list of some of the birth control methods that can wreak havoc on a woman’s desire, and following the list are some suggestions for alternative birth control methods that don’t affect the female sex drive.
methods that affect libido

The pill

It all depends on how the hormones contained in the pill will interact with your beloved’s body, but a reduced libido is a commonly reported side effect of oral contraceptives. The culprit? Testosterone. Some forms of birth control can significantly lower testosterone levels, which is the hormone responsible for arousal. Mood swings are also common with the pill, which can affect some women’s desire levels.

There are a number of choices when it comes to oral contraceptives, so fixing the problem may be a matter of simply switching brands. For example, monophasic pills, which contain the same amount of hormones day after day, are more notorious for causing a reduced sex drive.

Sometimes, switching to a triphasic method, which delivers a different hormone cocktail as the cycle progresses, will help your girl stay in the mood. However, since all forms of oral contraceptives affect hormone levels and have the potential to change a woman’s libido, you might just have to find another method of birth control. Some women achieve success in keeping their sex drives high with Ortho Evra, the birth control patch, in place of taking birth control pills.

Depo-Provera

Depo-Provera is an injection that’s sometimes used to treat sex offenders in the hope that it will leave them with no sex drive and reduce their risk of repeat offences. While the injection can be a godsend to women with extremely painful periods, it’s no wonder, considering its track record, that Depo-Provera can cause libido problems in some women. Though an extremely effective form of birth control, with one injection every three months, it can cause irregular or sometimes even constant periods, as well as mood swings, which may further affect your woman’s libido.

IUD (intrauterine device)

IUDs are T-shaped objects that, true to their name, are inserted into the uterus, where they can stay for up to 10 years. They come in two forms: ParaGard, which has a copper wire wrapped around it, and Mirena, which releases hormones. ParaGard can cause painful cramping and heavy periods, but usually has no effect on libido. Mirena, because of the synthetic hormones it releases, has been known to cause libido problems as well as mood swings.

Lunelle

A regular injection that requires a monthly visit to the doctor’s office, Lunelle has been known to cause a loss of sexual desire in some women, as well as other side effects like mood swings, which are similar to those that often arise from oral contraceptives.
methods that don’t affect libido
Aside from the traditional condom, here are some alternative birth control methods that don't affect the female sex drive.

Female condom

Because it's simply inserted into the vagina before intercourse, the female condom will have no biological effect on your girl's sex drive. However, the opening of the condom, which will hang out and be visible to anyone going near her privates, may make her feel like closing her legs. The female condom has also been known to make noises during intercourse.

Diaphragm

A rubber device that nestles against the cervix, a diaphragm should be used with spermicidal gel. Since there are no hormones involved with a diaphragm, there will be no negative effects on her mood or libido.

Spermicidal gel

The name is a pretty accurate description for spermicidal gel, foam or cream. Whatever the consistency, it works by killing sperm before they can get a chance to find an egg. Spermicide should be used with a condom or diaphragm to enhance its effectiveness. Spermicide will not affect her libido, and it's also important to note that spermicide doesn't offer adequate protection from sexually transmitted diseases.

whatever works for her

While many contraceptive methods have the potential to diminish a girl's sex drive, the good news is that there are many different choices. Since each woman will react differently, there’s a good chance you and your girl can find something that will keep a baby out of the picture while keeping you in the bedroom.