Contraception and your libido: the package leaflet you dó want to read

For many women, contraception is the ultimate form of freedom. It gives us power over our own future and our own bodies. But sometimes that freedom comes at a price, as there’s no such thing as the ideal contraception. Each method has its benefits, but can also affect your body and brain. Are you curious about the possible effects of different contraceptive methods on your sex life? We’ve listed the most common experiences here.

The birth control pill and the implant

With the pill or a hormonal implant, your hormone levels remain the same throughout the month. So you no longer experience the natural hormonal fluctuations. As a result, many women notice that they lose those specific days around ovulation when they’re normally more in the mood. This may make your libido feel flatter. It can also affect your natural lubrication, making sex feel less comfortable sometimes.

The IUD

With an IUD (copper or hormonal) the physical aspect plays a major role. In the initial period, your uterus may be a bit more sensitive, which you may notice during deep penetration. The IUD strings may feel a bit stiff for your partner at first, but they usually soften and curl away over time. If they keep poking, a GP can trim them shorter.

The NuvaRing

You wear the ring in the vagina where it releases hormones. Most partners don’t feel the ring during sex. Some women actually experience the ring as extra stimulation from within. If the ring does get in the way, you can remove it for up to three hours during intercourse.

Condoms

A condom acts as a barrier, making direct friction and heat transfer slightly less intense. This can make the physical sensation a bit less sharp for both partners, which can help men last longer while women sometimes find they need a bit more stimulation to reach the same level of arousal.

What to pay attention to?

• Libido: do you notice that you’re consistently less in the mood since you started using the contraception?
• Lubrication: do you need to use lubrication more often than before?
• Sensitivity: do you experience irritation, or a changed vaginal odor, more often?
• Pain: do you experience discomfort in certain positions due to the presence of an IUD?

Every body reacts differently. What works perfectly for one person can interfere significantly with another person’s sex life. If you notice that a product isn’t working for you, it’s always worth looking for a more suitable alternative and to consult a doctor. 

Facts for you

• Hormonal freedom: methods like the copper IUD keep your natural cycle and libido completely intact because no synthetic hormones are involved.
• The right match: there are dozens of types of pills and IUDs; what works for your girlfriend may dampen your passion. It’s worth continuing to look for the variant that keeps your libido intact.
• Self-knowledge is power: by tracking your cycle, you learn when you naturally feel more in the mood and can better assess whether your contraception is blocking that natural flow.

Become the expert of your own body

The moral of the story is not that you should stop using hormones, but that you dare to be critical. Contraception should serve you, not the other way around. If you notice that your passion has gone since you switched methods, take it seriously. You have the right to a contraceptive that protects you and allows you to remain yourself in the bedroom.