His and Her Health

I have been on birth control pills for the better part of two years. Since then, I have experienced a dramatic decrease in sexual drive and desire. My first (and only) orgasm, ever, occured during the very first time I had sex. This was right about the time I started the bc. Now, it hurts to have sex, which in turn does nothing to help my already lagging libido. I have not changed partners, we have a wonderful relationship emotionally, and I used to be happy with the sexual part of it. So, I figure, it has to be the pills. I used to have fantasies that were very successful in inducing arousal, but even that avenue has been shut down! I think the whole reason the pills work at all is because they make you not want to do anything in the first place...<P>My question is, how do I enjoy the benefits of birth control (i.e. NOT GETTING PREGNANT!), while still maintaining a healthy and satisfying sexual relationship?

You may want to consider switching to a transdermal method of birth control (the patch). It has a lower rate of side effects, especially sexual ones, because it reacts differently with the hormones your body naturally produces.

I've actually tried the patch once already b/c I didn't want to go "Oops! Forgot to take my pill today!" However, the problem with the patch was the fact that it kept falling off. Apparently, this doesn't happen for most people, but my doctor suggested I go back on the pill b/c of it. <P>What about the shot? I've been considering that lately, and I just wanted to hear some pro's and cons of it.<P>Thank you!

The patch does fall off people regularly, when I tried it, I went through the whole box in the first 4 days. I called the manufactor and everything, and the help line lady told me, it is a common problem with them. In my doctors office, 2 of the 4 people there using them, also had problems with it coming loose. I didnt feel safe at all using it. I ended up getting an IUD. I couldnt go back to B/C pills anymore. You could look into the ring also?

"The Shot," also known as Depro-Provera, has the highest incidence of side-effects. Of all the forms of birth control, this is the one I've heard the worst anecdotal stories about. It does, of course, work for some people. I'd use this as a last-resort, if possible. You may want to post this question on the sexual health area of Newshe, or read some of the other posts regarding bc there for more information.

Just wanted to inform you all that I went to my doctor, and she said that before trying depo, I could try a pill that had a different balance of hormones and such to address my individual complaints. That's what I wound up doing (because, quite frankly, the potential side-effects of the shot scared me!), and so far so good.<P>Thanx for listening!