New research from Indiana University suggests that hormone-based contraceptives can "stifle sexual arousal, limit lubrication and decrease the number of orgasms in women."
Over 1,000 sexually active women using forms of contraception including the Pill, patch, ring and shot reported deriving less pleasure -- and therefore less sex -- than women using non-hormonal methods such as condoms, diaphragms and the withdrawal method (if it can be called a method!)
Although the Pill is a fairly reliable means of reproductive control, it may be compromising the quality of many women's sex life.
"[The Pill is] something women are often on for as many as 30 years or more; it plays a huge part in their life," says lead researcher Nicole Smith, a doctoral student and project coordinator at the school's Center for Sexual Health Promotion.
"If they're experiencing these negative effects, they might stop using contraception correctly or altogether. They need to know that there are options, such as lubricants or other sexual enhancement products that may help to alleviate some of the negative effects they are experiencing."
While the findings might prompt women to try out different forms of birth control, researchers bemoan the "lack of interest" in making sex more pleasurable for women on the Pill.
"A great effort has been made to make condoms more pleasurable for men," the lead author said. "But you don't hear about this same effort going toward reducing the negative impact of contraception on women's sexual functioning."
Has the Pill affected your sex life? Do you feel the pros of this form of birth control outweigh the cons?
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