The contraceptive pill is a popular choice for women of all ages in the preventing of pregnancy. In the US, there are approximately 62 million women. Over 99 percent of women have used at least one form of contraceptive, and while 62 percent of women use a regular method of contraception, only 17 percent of women use the pill.[i]
Varieties of Contraceptive Pill
The contraceptive pill and how it affects your body can depend on the pill formulation. The contraceptive pill is available in two varieties—combination and progestin-only pills. Some varieties are taken only for 21-days, leaving a 7-day period for the menstrual cycle, while 28-day pills (mini-pill) are also available. Not all contraceptive pills are suitable for everyone. It can take several months before you feel comfortable with a particular pill brand. Some pill brands can cause a loss of libido.
Dr Arnold Kresch from Helena Women’s Health says “the greater the level of androgenic potency in the pill, the greater the potential for side effects.”[ii] A contraceptive pill that contains a high dose of androgens can heighten the risk of side effects, whilst a pill with lower androgens can reduce the intensity of the female orgasm.
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Lowers Testosterone Levels
Progestin contraceptive pills, also known as the mini pill, can contribute toward lower levels of testosterone. This hormone supports vaginal lubrication and protects the healthy erectile tissue surrounding the clitoris. There is around 10 percent testosterone in women, and the oral pill can reduce this level. As birth control pills also contain synthetic forms of oestrogen, this can cause a flood of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin or SHBG. When SHBG makes a connection with testosterone, the cells of the body are unable to use it. This could potentially lead to a lower libido.
Lasting Sexual Dysfunction in Women
The Journal of Sexual Medicine published a study entitled Impact of Oral Contraceptives on Sex Hormone Binding Globulin and Androgen Levels: A Retrospective Study in Women with Sexual Dysfunction, which proves that the birth control pill can have an adverse effect on testosterone levels in women. The study featured 124 pre-menopausal women who had experienced concerns over their sexual health for a period of approximately six months. Sixty-two of the subjects were on the pill; thirty-nine of the women were ex-pill users, while the final twenty-three women had never taken the pill. The SHBG levels of each subject were compared at two intervals throughout the study. The women on the pill had SHBG levels four times higher than non-pill users, while ex-pill users still had SHBG levels higher than the non-pill group.
The leady author of this study, Dr Claudia Panzer said,
“it is important for physicians prescribing oral contraceptives to point out to their patients potential sexual side effects, such as decreased desire, arousal, decreased lubrication and increased sexual pain. Also if women present with these complaints, it is crucial to recognize the link between sexual dysfunction and the oral contraceptive and not to attribute these complaints solely to psychological causes.”
Although the oral pill has long been thought of as a safe contraceptive for women of all ages, a 2006 study proved that testosterone levels could significantly lessen due to an increase in SHBG levels. This can contribute toward sexual dysfunction in women. Popular non-hormonal methods of contraceptives include the intra-uterine device (IUD) and condoms.
