Introduction to the Contraceptive Pill
The first contraceptive pill was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1960. It was an unprecedented step in medical and family planning and gave women the opportunity to control their fertility. Women could have sex without the fear of an unwanted pregnancy.
Sexual Autonomy and Its Costs
The pill introduced a new era of sexual autonomy, but for some women, the very synthetic hormones that prevented pregnancy could also suppress libido. APEKSHA Shetty, an Indian based in Vienna, went on the pill for hormonal reasons. One of the advantages, she thought, was to have sex with her constant partner without having to worry about pregnancy. But things didn’t go as expected. The pill that Shetty was prescribed stopped her periods completely, and she said that her sex drive disappeared.
The Complicated Relationship Between the Pill and Libido
The relationship between the pill and women’s libido was always complicated. DW spoke to at least half a dozen women with different backgrounds, including in Africa and Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Everything told us that they had followed medical advice during the pill. And most doctors said they had not told them that the pill could lower their libido, and that the side effect was not mentioned in the packaging.
Case Studies: The Pill’s Effects on Libido
Mariel, who comes from Cyprus and is located in the Netherlands, began taking the pill eight years ago when she was 20 years old. Before she took the pill, her libido was high – she was often "horny" as she put it. But most of her sexual intercourse at the beginning was not driven by libido, but more because she almost could, regardless of her libido. Only later did Mariel realize that the pill had steamed her desire.
The Science Behind the Pill’s Effects on Libido
A large review of 36 studies with more than 13,000 women in 2013 found that around 15% of the participants resulted in a decline in libido when using the pill. Since then, only a few studies have tried to explain why, and the results that exist seem to be mixed. This may have something to do with the fact that the studies have no comparability – while the pill usually consists of the estrogen and progesterone hormones, there are differences in how much of each flows into the pill, and this can lead to different effects and side effects.
Physical and Emotional Side Effects
For some, the negative side effects of the pill are not limited to libido. They can also influence physical excitement, especially lubrication. Shristi Pal, a DW journalist and former psychologist, experienced this firsthand. Pal said that she went on the pill to regulate her hormones, but noticed both vaginal dryness and a loss of libido. Others told us that they had experienced emotional swings during the pill – feeling flat, fearful, or emotionally vulnerable.
Does the Pill Dampen Libido?
The short answer: it is complicated. Libido is shaped by several factors: hormonal, psychological, relational, and socially – not just through the pill. Even in the study that found a reduced libido in 15% of women, the majority (85%) reported either no change or an increase in desire. Researchers believe that a thrust in libido could be associated with psychological relief not to worry about pregnancy.
The Importance of Understanding the Pill’s Effects
Dr. Tanaya Narendra, a pedagogue for sexual health from India, said that lower libido is a well-known side effect of the pill, but it has not been proven universally – a "universal connection still has to be established," she said. Contemporary forms of the pill differ greatly from previous versions. Different hormone combinations are now tailored to different needs: acne, endometriosis, irregular periods, and contraception. This makes it difficult to draw conclusions about their effects on sexual desire.
Conclusion
The impact on libido should be taken seriously, but also, there is a wider story at work, "through conservative voices that aim to restrict the reproductive autonomy of women". Women are not taught to understand their bodies without judgment or shame. This lack of awareness has left space for confusion, misinformation, and fear. The greater failure is not in the pill itself, but in silence and stigma surrounding women’s health and the use of contraception.
