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4 May 2010
The Pill found to have "significant adverse sexual effects" 
Women taking hormonal contraceptives were at the highest risk of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), according to a new German study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Interestingly, women taking non-hormonal contraceptives were at the lowest risk for FSD, more than women not using any contraceptive. "FSD is a very common disorder, with an estimated prevalence of about two in five women having at least one sexual dysfunction, and the most common complaint appearing to be low desire," said researcher Dr. Lisa-Maria Wallwiener, of the University of Heidelberg. She added that while the causes of FSD can be multitudinous, this was the first study to show it might be influenced by exogenous hormone application. More than 1,000 women were included in the study. They completed questionnaires designed to identify problems with sexual function, as well as other lifestyle factors including desire for children, pregnancy and whether they were smokers. Of the participants, 32 percent were considered at risk for FSD: 6 percent at high risk for hypoactive sexual desire disorder, 1 percent for arousal disorder, 1 percent for decreased lubrication, 9 percent for orgasm disorder, 3 percent for satisfaction problems and 1 percent for pain. The participants were then divided into four subgroups of oral hormonal contraception (OC), non-oral hormonal contraception (NOHC), non-hormonal contraception (NHC), and no contraception (NC). The group at lowest risk for FSD (highest sexual function score) was the NHC group, followed by NC and OC, with NOHC at the highest risk. For desire and arousal, both OC and NOHC groups were at highest risk.
The method of contraception and smoking status were significant factors for total sexual function scores, with smokers scoring higher than non-smokers. Other factors including age, prior pregnancy, desire for children, and partnership status were not significant. Women not in stable relationships (regardless of contraception use) had higher desire but lower orgasm scores. "In future research it would be interesting to see if there is a difference between the dosage of estrogen and the various synthetic progestins used in hormonal contraceptives in terms of an impact on female sexual function," said researcher Dr. Harald Seeger. "This is a very important research investigation", stated Dr. Irwin Goldstein, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Sexual Medicine. "There are hundreds of millions of women, in particular young women at the beginning of their sexual lives, who regularly use hormonal contraception for many years. The irony is that these women are provided a medication that enables freedom from reproductive worries but these same women are not provided information that there are significant adverse sexual effects that may ensue." Related:
The Pill May Trigger Long-Term Testosterone Problems
The Pill and stroke: risk factors identified
IUD - The Forgotten Contraceptive
Is The Pill Playing Havoc With Your Mental Health? Source: Journal of Sexual Medicine
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