birth control

[PMI]

There are several options available now, and i am wondering, as a smoker, because i have been opted out of them all.

My questions, concern the pill and the implant and the pills that cease the menstrual cycle. Ladies, do these medications also affect desire?

 

[Safe_Bet]

I utilize a VERY effective form of birth control... lesbian sex.

 

[xPoisonx]

I think you should have a more in-depth discussion with your doctor.
Various forms of birth control have different side effects such a weight loss/gain, raised blood pressure, decreased sex drive and long-term use can affect fertility.
What is usually best is to try a few (seperately of course) and see which works best for you, everyone reacts different.

The only really safe forms of birth control is of course no sex at all (but that's just not fun is it ) and lesbian sex obviously lol

Just remember it's not 100% effective.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I think you should have a more in-depth discussion with your doctor.
Various forms of birth control have different side effects such a weight loss/gain, raised blood pressure, decreased sex drive and long-term use can affect fertility.
What is usually best is to try a few (seperately of course) and see which works best for you, everyone reacts different.

The only really safe forms of birth control is of course no sex at all (but that's just not fun is it ) and lesbian sex obviously lol

Just remember it's not 100% effective.

If by "safe" you mean effective in preventing pregnancy, there are at least two other ways: Anal sex and oral sex.

 

[JamesSD]

Well, I'm not a woman, but I am a straight dude who has had a number of relationship with a number of women who have tried various forms of birth control.

One thing the pill does is lower the amount of testosterone in the blood stream. Low testosterone levels have been linked to low sex drive. However, there is a wide range that can be considered "normal" for testosterone levels.

A woman not on the pill typically will become hornier around the point in her cycle she ovulates, and be far less interested in sex a week after or so. Again, every woman seems to be a bit different. For some it's a roller coaster, for others, a gentle country drive. *Typically* the pill levels out the peaks and valleys of desire. Again, individual women's personal biochemistry affects things a lot.

On top of this, for some women removing the fear of pregnancy can boost libido. There may be less physical desire, but we all know desire is often more psychological than physical (part of why viagara has only modest effects on women, and even in some cases with men it causes erections, but not necessarily an increased libido).

In short: It's complicated and every woman is different.

 

[PMI]

and here I thought this thread had died....

I guess I should say, I am not asking for practical advice for birth control for myself, I had my tubes tied after the fourth child, I am currently putting the first through college and thinking if nothing else, the tubal was a good decision financially. We won't qualify for scholarships based on need, but its gonna be close!

Was wondering, from a psych point of view, the effects of the hormones so many of us use. I was on the pill, for a short time. Trying to remember whether it had any affect on my desire, its hard to say as I was early 20's at the time, my desire was appreciable. It's interesting to me because at the time, I wanted sex but decidedly did not want kids.

Later on, while coincidentally I used a spermicidal method, the urge to have children overwhelmed me. I argued, seduced and cajoled my husband into agreeing with the idea.

So I just wonder, what are the effects of hormonal contraception? The makers have many studies on physical areas of heath, but what about well-being and libido?

 

[PMI]

I utilize a VERY effective form of birth control... lesbian sex.

but it did not keep you from having kids, no?