by Karen Turner

The pill is one of the most popular forms of birth control today. Relatively easy, safe, and affordable, birth control pills often seem like the best choice for sexually active women–especially those who are in committed relationships. Best of all, perhaps, is the extreme effectiveness of the pill at 97-99% when used correctly.

The pill works by releasing various synthetic hormones that mimic estrogen and progesterone into your body, thus suppressing the ovulation that is necessary to cause pregnancy. However, the pill could be preventing pregnancy in a completely different way.

It’s conveniently left out of the little “side effects” speech on the commercials, but the pill often lowers sex drive, decreases lubrication during sex and generally inhibits sexual pleasure for women.

“At first I thought [decreased libido] was because I was getting comfortable in my relationship, but then I realized that that didn’t make any sense,” said a UMD sophomore, relating the confusion that many women have when they experience lowered sex drive and other psychological side effects of BC. “My libido had really lowered because I was in the full swing of birth control.” And she’s not alone; while there have been no definitive studies, many experts credit the bulk of the 30% of American women who report low libido to the pill.

It makes sense when you look at the function of the pill, which essentially inhibits the production of all of those good sexual hormones. One of these is androgen, a hormone group that includes testosterone and is directly linked to sexual pleasure in both men and women. Sure enough, the pill lowers levels of androgen in the ovaries. BC pills also increase a protein called sex-hormone binding globulin (or SHBG) in a woman’s body, thus inhibiting testosterone production. All that testosterone is a major factor in human sex drive, so it’s pretty disheartening to hear that testosterone levels are so low in women on the pill.

Other women have reported a whole slew of other psychological effects of the pill, including mood swings and depression. So does the pill really deserve the number two spot for most popular forms of contraceptive? If you’re a fan of abstinence, maybe. But if you’re like me and happen to like sex and want to keep enjoying it, it might be worth it to explore other options.

Article sources: www.epigee.org, www.fitnessmagazine.com

Image source: www.watchmojo.com

By Kate

This is the second in a series of monthly interviews with women who are wildly happy with their sex lives.

Age: 23. Interested in: men and women. Relationship status: married (to a man).

Q: Why do you consider yourself a satisfied woman?

Nothing is missing from my sex life. I’m fulfilled emotionally, physically, and creatively. Past relationships were off balance: [they were] sexually explosive but emotional wrecks; or [we connected] in amazing ways during conversation but [had] completely different wants and needs in the bedroom.

Q: Any tricks or techniques you find particularly awesome?

Not having sex – or at least not the penis-in-vagina definition. I enjoy lots of other things too, and if I don’t listen to those desires, I don’t enjoy sex as much, in general. It also takes some pressure off - I hate feeling like making-out has to lead to intercourse every time.

With my choice of birth control, Fertility Awareness Method / FAM, we abstain from [intercourse] altogether every month around ovulation. It’s a courtship/honeymoon dichotomy every month. [We have space to] try new things.

Q: Any advice for less-than-satisfied women?

Don’t be ashamed to admit what really turns you on. Sometimes we pigeonhole ourselves to maintain an image, but sex will be better if you explore everything you want. Don’t assume that the nice guy will think you’re a freak if you want to tie him down.

Q: How about for their partners?

Take your time. Try not to make [bringing her to] climax your ultimate goal. Pay attention to her whole body, or over-stimulation could kill what would have been great sex.

Make each other feel sexy. Affection and compliments go a long way. So does the occasional ass-grab and passionate, spontaneous kiss. I want someone to want me all the time, not just before sex.

Paid Tip of the Week

By Lisa

Get more bang-for-your-buck at the grocery store! Lean in for the fine print and check out the unit cost. It breaks down the cost per unit of measure – i.e., ounce, quart, gallon – and helps you decide between the six-pack of Natty Light and the forty of Milwaukee’s Best.

16.7% of 15- to 19-year-old and 31.8% of 20- to 24-year-old women currently use the Pill.

By Kate

That is the dilemma of a friend who just started seeing someone new.  The Pill drags on her libido, but she tends to date boys who hate condoms, and it’s nice to have the extra reassurance.

Of course her beaus hate condoms.  Among other shortcomings, they just don’t feel as good.  If you are allergic to latex, they will even set your crotch on fire.  So I fathom the allure of the Pill (and appreciate the part it’s played in fostering the sexual freedom of women.)

But I thought that condoms were standard, growing up as we did post-AIDS.  Wrong.  In 2002, the CDC found that the Pill is the most popular contraceptive method among women ages 15 to 24—roughly twice as popular as condoms.

The same year as that study, I tried the Pill.  The hormones body slammed me.  I gained weight and turned moody—if I felt anything, because mostly I drew an emotional blank.  Bigger boobs and condom-free sex did not compensate for the depression, the only common side effect rarely alleviated by switching prescriptions.  When I went off it, not being a cranky robot anymore more than made up for switching back to condoms.

Not that it makes every woman a zombie, especially with all the low-dose formulas available now.  If you are thinking about going on the Pill, here are some important lessons I learned the hard way:

• Go into the GYN’s prepared with a list of questions and concerns, and stick to it.
• Tell the truth about your sex life: The doctor can’t help with what the doctor doesn’t know about.
• If you start taking birth control, ask yourself how you feel-physically and emotionally.
• If the answer is “crappy,” then fix it. Working together, you and your doctor may be able to find a formula better suited to you.
• Above all, do not feel guilty about stopping. You are the only inhabitant of your body. Don’t worry about what your boyfriend wants: If he has to choose between condoms or no sex at all, he will always choose condoms.

Paid Tip of the Week

By Lisa

Looking for a little extra security as a renter?  A good safeguard is renters insurance. Depending on the coverage, a policy will run you about $150 to $300 a year and protect your belongs against destruction and theft-and you, if your apartment becomes unlivable.

Image Source: http://www.eontarionow.com/health/2007/10/19/maine-middle-school-gives-girls-birth-control-pills/