How To Increase Sex Drive While On Birth Control

You made a responsible choice to start birth control, but somewhere along the way, your sex drive decided to take a vacation. Hormonal birth control, especially the combined pill, has a tendency to reduce the amount of free testosterone, a crucial hormone involved in sexual desire in the body. However, tackling these side effect does not necessarily involve abandoning your present method. Experts suggest that if you know about the connection between the two things and incorporate some easy, and simple lifestyle measures, you can regain control and revitalize your libido.

To understand this better, we reached out to our expert, Dr Suma Varsha, IVF Specialist, Ferty9 Fertility Center - Vijayawada, and she explained, “You don't have to choose between reliable contraception and a satisfying sex life. You can keep your birth control and still get your sex drive back.” Read ahead to know everything she shared with us.

Link Between Birth Control and Libido

While some women notice no change, or even a rise in libido (due to less concern about pregnancy), others do see a definite drop. “The most frequent hormonal cause is the loss of free testosterone,” said Dr Varsha. This means, if your sex drive dropped when you started birth control, it's likely due to hormones, including:

• Hormonal Interference: Artificial hormones in combined hormonal contraceptives (pills, patches, rings) include synthetic progestin and oestrogen. The oestrogen can raise the protein named Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG). SHBG help to bind to testosterone, making less of it free and available to trigger sexual desire.
• Other Factors: Low libido on birth control can also be linked to other side effects like vaginal dryness, mood changes, or depression, all of which can cause a dip in the mood.

Also Read: Premenopause Vs Perimenopause Vs Menopause: What Every Woman Must Know

Simple Ways to Boost Your Sex Drive

Here are real, expert-approved ways for boosting your sex drive without having to give up your preferred birth control.

1. Lifestyle Changes: Mind, Body, and Attitude

Low sex drive often stems from overall burnout. Therefore, prioritising overall wellness can actually boost your desire. Here is how you can do it:

• Stress Management: Chronic stress raises cortisol, which represses sex hormones. Therefore, make stress-busting habits such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, or deep breathing a part of your day. “A peaceful mind is more receptive to pleasure,” she added.
• Prioritise Sleep: Good sleep is crucial for hormonal balance. Get seven to nine hours nightly to provide your body with the time it requires to regulate mood and energy levels.
• Exercise Regularly: Exercise enhances mood, body image, and blood flow, even to your genitalia, which enhances arousal and sensation. Cardio exercise and strength training are both great for this.
• Nutrition Check: Some nutrients promote sexual well-being. Pay attention to an evenly balanced diet that includes Zinc (nuts, seeds), Omega-3 fatty acids (fish, walnuts), and possibly libido-enhancing foods such as dark chocolate and avocados. Always have a talk with your healthcare provider before introducing new supplements, as they sometimes interact with medications.

2. Focus on Intimacy, Not Just Intercourse

When spontaneous desire is low, moving to a warm-up can be the answer. That means you need to have a reason for wanting sex, and not just feel the urge out of nowhere.

• Increase Non-Sexual Touch: Non-sexual touching such as holding hands, cuddling, or a sensual massage builds emotional intimacy and body connection, making the move to sex a natural one.
• Schedule Sex: It's not romantic-sounding, but reserving time for sex or special date nights removes the too tired/too busy excuse. Having it scheduled can provide mental room to look forward to and plan for pleasure.
• Widen Your Sex Definition: Instead of looking at sex as an end result, shift your attention to the process. Try various forms of stimulation, linger over foreplay, or add toys. Enhancing pleasure and sensation can sometimes create desire.
• Address Vaginal Dryness: Hormonal birth control has sometimes been known to produce vaginal dryness, resulting in painful or unpleasant intercourse. A good quality, fragrance-free lubricant is an easy and efficient solution that can significantly enhance pleasure.

3. Consult Your Healthcare Provider

If lifestyle modifications are not effective, the most useful next step is likely to change your method of contraception.

• Change the Formula: Not all hormonal methods are equal. Some progestin-only methods (mini-pill, IUDs) will have a smaller effect on sex drive than some combined pills. Your physician can recommend changing to a pill with a different type of progestin or a lower oestrogen dose.
• Rule Out Other Causes: Low libido is a potential side effect of other medications (such as some antidepressants) or diseases (thyroid disease, depression). Your physician can do blood tests to look for other causes.

Bottomline

Although hormonal birth control is an amazing tool for planning a family, a decrease in libido is a real concern. Fortunately, through attention to overall wellness, open communication, and by partnering with your healthcare provider, you can achieve a balance that honors your reproductive health as well as your enjoyable sex life.