BCP & Sex Drive

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-2006
BCP & Sex Drive
9
Mon, 10-16-2006 - 6:39am
I've been taking Kariva (generic Mircette). My boyfriend and I started dating right before my doctor switched me to the Kariva. I've watched my interest in sex diminish over the past several months. But, I'm unsure if it's all to blame on the BCP or if there is an issue with my relationship. I really am crazy about my boyfriend, but I have no interest in being intimate at all. I've never had this issue with BCP's in the past, so I'm unsure as to how they can effect intimacy levels. I've seen women talking about issues with lubrication, but this is beyond lubrication. I don't even want to kiss (beyond a quick peck). Can anyone share their experiences in this area? I'm so confused.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 10-16-2006 - 7:28am

It can definitely be related to your pill, even if you haven't had this problem before with other pills.

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-2006
Mon, 10-16-2006 - 10:11am

Judie-

Thanks for the reply. I think I read another post from you that said there were times when you couldn't even tolerate a hug from your husband(forgive me if it wasn't your post). Since this is the first time I'm having this type of side effect, I really wasn't positive it was actually a 'side effect'. Your post further strengthens my belief that the pill is causing this issue.

I was supposed to start my new pill pack last night, but decided not to. I have my annual appointment in a few weeks and I will talk to the doctor at that time about everything I've been experiencing. My boyfriend has been trying to be as understanding as possible. But, it's making both of us unhappy and unsure.

Does anyone know if it's bad for our system to jump around from pill to pill? I know that is what a lot of women have to do to find the right one for them. However, is it bad for our body to use one pill for three cycles then switch to another for a few cycles and so on???

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 10-16-2006 - 11:49am

Hi moondanse, welcome back!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-16-2006 - 7:09pm

I had that problem and never really knew about it- I just figured I had a low libido and my poor DH and I lived with it for 6 years. It sort of got to the point where I was "giving it up" from time to time for his benifit-

 Jenn 

Mommy to Megan 1/20/01 & Sean 11/11/03

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-2006
Tue, 10-17-2006 - 6:18pm

Thank you for the feedback. This will be my second time halting BCP's in one year, but I think it's what I need to do for the moment. I need to determine that the BCP is definitely the culprit, then I can have the doctor try to find something else for me.

I'm on BCP primarily because I have painful periods. I was on Ovcon 35 for a long time, but the pain seemed to get worse over time. After a two month break from BCP, this new doc put me on Loestrin. I had, what felt like, a constant dull cramp all of the time. But, my period was 2 days tops and I never had severe cramping. That part was great, but I wasn't convinced it was the right pill because of that constant dull cramp. So, he switched me to Mircette (Kariva from pharmacy). I swear, from the beginning the Kariva has been an issue. Again, my period is so light and I have minimal cramping -- but the other issues are just too much. Initially I had severe nausea, I'm terribly moody, still have a constant dull cramp and of course the non-existent libido that brought me here.

So, I guess I'll take another break and see how it goes. My body has proven to be very, very sensitive to medication. If I could just not take anything, I'd probably be better off. Again, thank you for the feedback. It helps to hear your stories.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2004
Tue, 10-17-2006 - 11:04pm
Hello, I have the same problem and it's majorly affecting me...my boyfriend seems to be very understanding (at least for now). I'm on Ortho-tri-lo, and i've been taking it for about a month. Was loestrin a pill that had one steady dose of estrogen? Or did it go up from week to week? Because I think that's why this pill is making me so moody, on top of the low libido. The estrogen intake goes up each week till I go on my period. How long have you been on BC? Did the low libido affect you right from the start and have you tried anythign for more than 3 months? Because I'm wondering if I should continue this pill, or any pill at all, (I also am sensitive to medication and really would love to take nothing at all..you know they make one for men with no side effects in Brittain) and if maybe the libido thing will subside after my system adjusts after the 3 months. Well good luck! Hopefully you'll have some answers to my questions too!
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2004
Tue, 10-17-2006 - 11:15pm
ok I made a mistake...its not the amount of estrogen that changes, its the other hormone. Just wanted to clarify!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-2006
Wed, 10-18-2006 - 11:46am

The Loestrin and the Kariva are both monophasic (level dose of hormone). I've read in other posts that the triphasic pills like Ortho-Lo can cause moodiness. So, that may be something to look in to.

I have actually been on BCP for 15 years (more or less). But, regarding the length of time I stayed on the Loestrin -- four cycles. I took the Kariva for three cycles. The loss of libido happened gradually, however I only took three packs of the pill so I guess you could say it happened quickly. And from what I'm reading, time does not "heal" that side effect. So, that is why I stopped taking it.

It's all very confusing and very frustrating. I hope that you find some answers for yourself. Thank you for sharing!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 10-18-2006 - 11:36pm

personally my libido loss happened gradually and never came back up after any duration of use. For me the return was not immediate either, it takes a couple of cycles for me to have it come back. Good Luck!


 Jenn 

Mommy to Megan 1/20/01 & Sean 11/11/03