Weight Gain? Cancer Risk? The Truth About The Pill
The birth control pill lowers your sex drive.
FACT. My friend was right—it can. Numerous articles cite women who report a lowered libido on the pill and a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine suggests that the pill may reduce a woman’s sex drive for months after discontinuation. “30 to 40 percent of women on birth control pills have decreased libido,” study co-author Dr. Andrew Guay, director of the Center for Sexual Health/Endocrinology at the Lahey Clinic in Boston, told HealthDay News. But not all experts agree. Dr. Rahimian acknowledges that some women experience a lowered sex drive, but says, “For most women, this is not a major issue.”
Antibiotics reduce the effectiveness of a pill.
MYTH. This is a major concern for many women and there are a lot of varying opinions out there. Some health practitioners recommend using back-up contraception while taking antibiotics due to a concern about an interaction between antibiotics and the pill. But according to most official sources, including Planned Parenthood, there is only one antibiotic, Rifampin, known to interact with the pill and it’s primarily used to treat tuberculosis. “The majority of commonly used antibiotics do not reduce the effectiveness of the pill,” affirms Dr. Rahimian. But since there’s no conclusive evidence just yet, it’s best to use that second form of protection if you’re on any type of antibiotic.
FACT. My friend was right—it can. Numerous articles cite women who report a lowered libido on the pill and a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine suggests that the pill may reduce a woman’s sex drive for months after discontinuation. “30 to 40 percent of women on birth control pills have decreased libido,” study co-author Dr. Andrew Guay, director of the Center for Sexual Health/Endocrinology at the Lahey Clinic in Boston, told HealthDay News. But not all experts agree. Dr. Rahimian acknowledges that some women experience a lowered sex drive, but says, “For most women, this is not a major issue.”
Antibiotics reduce the effectiveness of a pill.
MYTH. This is a major concern for many women and there are a lot of varying opinions out there. Some health practitioners recommend using back-up contraception while taking antibiotics due to a concern about an interaction between antibiotics and the pill. But according to most official sources, including Planned Parenthood, there is only one antibiotic, Rifampin, known to interact with the pill and it’s primarily used to treat tuberculosis. “The majority of commonly used antibiotics do not reduce the effectiveness of the pill,” affirms Dr. Rahimian. But since there’s no conclusive evidence just yet, it’s best to use that second form of protection if you’re on any type of antibiotic.
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Displaying comments 1 to 8 out of 8
| Tinkerbelle | |
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I'm too afraid to even get on the pill because of all the different opinions. One doctor won't prescribe me the pill because my grandmother died of breast cancer. Another Doctor will give me as many samples as I want for free. The longest I've lasted on the pill was one week, I'm not sure if I really was experiencing what I thought I was or if my mind was manifesting what I felt because of how afraid I of it I was. I KNOW I'm not ready to have a baby yet so thank you for the clear information Savvy. |
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| RamblinLiz | |
| I've experienced a significant decrease in sex drive with every form of the pill I've tried - but everyone thought I was nuts (including my doctor). In short, thanks for the great article. I always love the feeling of finding out that I'm not crazy. | |
| patri | |
| I think the most important thing to remember is that not all "pills" are the same. When I was uninsured, my pharmacy gave me a generic brand, with the same active ingredients but with heavy side effects. I gained weight, felt depressed, and definitely a lower libido. Now I use a better brand, and I found no side effects whatsoever. | |
| foxabigail -- Block Island | |
| Thank you for this article. As soon as I read it, I've forwarded it to friends and done some of my own research. There's a lot of convincing information about there about hormonal birth control reducing one's libido. Even though the research isn't complete, why take a chance if you don't have to? The relationship between birth control and a woman's sex drive is fascinating and I wonder why there's not more discussion about it in the press. Kind of amazing to think that since most women in the U.S. use The Pill, many are likely suffering a decreased interest in sex, without even making the connection! I guess this means more women starting looking seriously into alternatives, like IUDs, etc. Please write more articles about birth control; it's something that rarely gets addressed in any depth in the media. Thank you! | |
| leisle -- Westwood | |
| I have always worried about the possibility of gaining weight when taking the pill. I run track and adding extra pounds can definitely affect my performance. It's good to know that this is a myth because I have always stayed away from the pill for this reason. Thanks. | |
| lauramc70 -- Los Angeles | |
| I completely agree! How would you know if you were pregnant or not. I developed migraine like symptoms from being on the pill continuously, which I also commented about on another message board. I also haven't heard of any long term studies on how this can effect women's bodies. My best friend had a severe reaction to one form of birth control pills that effected her mood. Every woman is different and the pill isn't always as wonderful as the article makes it seem. | |
| Olivia -- Tucson | |
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I agree! It's always nice to have the monthly check-in with your body to know everything's all right.
| erinness -- Portland | |
| Most women taking the pill are trying to prevent pregnancy. How can you ever feel secure with the shot or pills that make you skip your period? Period=not pregnant=good for most pill takers. Is it just me? | |
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