Never Felt Like Having Sex-Pill?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-20-2004
Never Felt Like Having Sex-Pill?
6
Sun, 07-16-2006 - 8:18am

I've been on the pill (Ortho Tri Cyclen and then Ortho Cyclen) for 10 years. I started when I was 18, to help control my acne. I have never really felt I had a "normal" sex drive - I love my boyfriend, but don't actively look to have sex. Sex issues were problematic with former boyfriends as well. I'm wondering if I should stop the pill and see what happens - I'm thinking that having started the pill at 18, I don't even really know what my sex drive is, as that is the age when you start having one.

I'm also concerned about my acne coming back, that I dealt with all during my youth - though I'd take having a great sex life over that!

Any advice is much appreciated!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2002
Sun, 07-16-2006 - 5:43pm

Could very well be your BC pill.

 


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2006
Sun, 07-16-2006 - 6:40pm

Try switching pills.

Just a thought. I used Ovcon 35 for most of my younger life and didn't have a problem.

Lucky

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2006
Sun, 07-16-2006 - 6:56pm

Yea, it could definately be the Pill. I'm 29, and have always had a really strong libido, and I started using hormonal birth control (Aviane) a little over a month ago, and now I'm using NuvaRing. I've noticed a HUGE difference in my sex drive since I started hormonal bc. I'm going to wait it out a couple of months and see, but I'll switch to Natural Family Planning if this continues. It's kinda crazy, cause I went on it to have a carefree, worry-free sex life, but here I am barely even interested! How ironic.

I'd say since you've been on OTC for so long, go off it for at least a few months and get the synthetic hormones out of your system and see how you are. If you notice a difference, you could try a different method and/or stay off of hormones altogether.

GL! :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 07-17-2006 - 7:22am

While I do agree that hormonal birth control can definitely have an impact on your libido....we hear a lot about women who have really high libidos.

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-22-2006
Mon, 07-17-2006 - 10:07am
Just thought I'd add my opinion. I've been on BC for about 5.5 years. before it, I had a pretty good sex drive. after, not so much. There could be other factors, but like you, I don't actively seek to have sex and I am a newlywed, so it's a littel frustrating, or was, after several different pills, i finally feel like my sex drive has at least had a little lift. not what it was before the pill, but definitely better than it was. it might be worth it to go off it for a while to see what your sex drive is without it, then you'll know what you're looking for.
i wish you the best of luck.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-20-2004
Tue, 07-18-2006 - 10:05pm
Thanks all for your advice and kind words! I have my annual gyno next week and am going to ask her about going off, at least for a while. I sorta feel the need to "know my body" without the pill for a bit. Feel free to continue to post if you have other thoughts! Thanks!