Birth Control Least Likely to Reduce Libido

[autumnelephant]

Hello all! Lit seemed the best place to ask this question, as there's such a wide range of ladies engaged in a variety of sexual activity (yum!). What sorts of birth control do you use/have you used, and which would you recommend? More specifically, do you know of any that are less likely to reduce your sex drive?

A bit of background about me: I'm 22, no children yet but I would like them in the future. I've used nuvaring, yaz, and the generic of yaz. Nuvaring lowered my sex drive, made me increasingly moody, and made me increasingly prone to infections. Yaz worked nicely, but also reduced my sex drive, definitely made me gain weight, and I found it difficult to remember to take the pill every day, never mind at the same time! I've been off of birth control for at least a year, more like two at this point. I'm nervous about decreasing my libido, as well as weight gain and increased moodiness. However, I want to be able to jump on my boyfriend whenever and wherever without making sure we have a condom first.

I know there are quite a few threads dedicated to the various types of birth control a lady can use, but things are constantly changing. I'm hoping for some current advice from anyone who can share.

 

[IrishEyes80]

I loved the birth control patch when I had to use birth control. I could never remember to take the pill but the patch you only change once a week. I didn't have any libido issues with the patch!

Good Luck!

 

[lynn-23]

I was on ortho novum before and didn't think it changed my libido too much. I have to say that Yaz was the worst drug I have ever taken. Just make sure you talk it over with your physician and your pharmacist and ask your friends about their experiences.

 

[autumnelephant]

Thanks ladies! I have an appointment September 17th, but I want to go in with some solid advice under my belt.

IrishEyes, did you find that the patch stayed on pretty well, through showers, lotions, physical activity?

 

[PlayfulMaineGir]

I was on low dose pills for 17 years. My ob/gyn suggested a copper IUD due to family history of blood clots, and I'm very glad she did. My sex drive is better now than it was in college.

 

[IrishEyes80]

IrishEyes, did you find that the patch stayed on pretty well, through showers, lotions, physical activity?

I never had any issues with them coming off, they're pretty sticky. I wore mine on my butt just under the waste of my pants and honestly didnt even know it was there, I set a reminder for myself to change it and that was it.

 

[LettersFromTatyana]

I was on low dose pills for 17 years. My ob/gyn suggested a copper IUD due to family history of blood clots, and I'm very glad she did. My sex drive is better now than it was in college.

Yes, a copper IUD! It has no hormones in it, so it can't dampen your sex drive like pills can.

 

[autumnelephant]

Yes, a copper IUD! It has no hormones in it, so it can't dampen your sex drive like pills can.

This seems like the best option for what I'm looking for out of birth control. The problems I see are that a) I am very young. Many of the risks associated with the IUD are for young women who haven't had a child. And b) it's a very large upfront cost that is not covered by my insurance. Though from reading the fine print, my boyfriend seems to think that with the proper paperwork, it can be pre-certified to be covered. I'm going to call my member services rep and see what the options are for that. I just don't like what the hormones do to me.

 

[Aurantica]

This seems like the best option for what I'm looking for out of birth control. The problems I see are that a) I am very young. Many of the risks associated with the IUD are for young women who haven't had a child. And b) it's a very large upfront cost that is not covered by my insurance. Though from reading the fine print, my boyfriend seems to think that with the proper paperwork, it can be pre-certified to be covered. I'm going to call my member services rep and see what the options are for that. I just don't like what the hormones do to me.

Copper will work, and I was going to say the IUD anyways. Just be careful if you fly a lot.

 

[autumnelephant]

Does flying a lot disrupt it or make movement more likely? I fly rarely so I'm not worried, just curious.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Aurantica]

Does flying a lot disrupt it or make movement more likely? I fly rarely so I'm not worried, just curious.

Thanks for the info!

No, but they do make you go through a metal detector and I'm wondering if there's enough in those to set it off.

 

[dollface007]

I have a copper IUD (Paragard). If your OBGYN hesitates to give you one b/c you haven't had kids, run out the door and find a new doc. Those risks have been proven false at this point. My sex drive definitely came back when I went off the pill and got on the non-hormonal IUD.

Back when I was on the pill and complained to my docs that it fucked with my sex drive, they acted like it was the first time they were ever hearing about this symptom. Hmph. I think it's more common to talk about it now that women are talking to each other on the internet and know they're not crazy.

I recommend the IUD, but I would recommend that you request misoprostol to soften the cervix when you have it inserted. You also may want to consider overlapping the pill and the IUD if you have heavy periods b/c the IUD will make your periods INSANELY heavy at first. I've had a few unexplained and painful uterine infections since I had my IUD inserted. Most people don't have any problems besides heavy periods and cramping while the body adjusts. It hasn't totally been smooth sailing for me personally...so proceed with caution and listen to your body. Despite these problems, I still have my IUD...there's just no better option for me.

And no...it will not set off the metal detector at the airport.

 

[NeonKnickers]

Abstinence.

It will definitely NOT lower you libido. It will make you a crazy hormonal sex maniac that just can't get enough.

...or so I've heard.

(seriously, a few years ago I was on a hormonal pill form and it made me so pissy and grumpy and achey. Was still horny, though. The non hormonal IUD (copper) was a good method for me, despite the awkward insertion. Only takes a minute, though. Good luck!)

 

[NippleMuncher]

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