It’s not uncommon to notice a drop in your libido when you first start using hormonal birth control. However, this is typically a temporary side effect that subsides after your body adjusts to your new hormone levels.
Some women who switch to a progestin-only birth control method like the pill, implant, or IUD experience an increase in libido. But everyone’s experiences are different.
1. Eat Right
You may notice a change in your libido when you start a new form of birth control. That’s because hormonal birth control, like the pill, patch, or ring, changes hormone levels, including estrogen and progesterone. These hormones prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg and stop pregnancy.
Libido can fluctuate throughout your menstrual cycle, and some people feel extra horny during ovulation or on their period. That’s because these are the times when your sex hormones are highest.
SSRIs, such as sertraline (Zoloft) and escitalopram (Lexapro), can lower your libido by blocking serotonin. If you’re taking a SSRI, talk to your doctor about changing to another medication.
You might also experience a decrease in libido when switching to a hormonal birth control method from a non-hormonal one, such as the copper intrauterine device. But this typically subsides once your body adjusts.
2. Exercise
While it isn’t always the cause, some forms of birth control can affect libido. For example, birth control pills that contain estrogen can lower libido in some women. A doctor may switch you to a different type of birth control that has less estrogen, such as the Mirena IUD or the Levonorgestrel-releasing hormonal intrauterine device (IUD).
SSRI medications, such as sertraline (Zoloft) and escitalopram (Lexapro), can also cause low libido. This is because they can lower serotonin levels, which plays a role in mood and sexual drive.
Stress can also lower libido. This is because high amounts of stress can raise cortisol, which in turn can lower sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen. Try to find ways to reduce your stress levels, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with friends and family.
Natural supplements that are clinically shown to boost libido can also help, such as ASYSTEM’s Female Libido Gummies or S7 (rhodiola rosea root), fenugreek extract, and baron citrate. These herbs help increase blood flow, boost energy levels, and balance sex hormones.
3. Sleep Well
Getting enough sleep is essential for the health of your whole body. If you’re not getting 7-9 hours of sleep per night, it can throw off your nervous system and cause you to feel less energized. This can also affect your libido.
Stress is another factor that can cause a loss of libido. During stressful times, your body releases the hormone cortisol, which can lower your levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
If you’re on a type of birth control that can lead to low libido, such as the combination pill or hormonal IUDs, try switching to a non-hormonal option. The copper IUD or the levonorgestrel-releasing hormonal implant, which was studied in a small study to have improved libido, may work for you. If you can’t switch, you can also try taking libido-boosting supplements, such as those made by ASYSTEM, which contain ingredients that have been clinically shown to improve blood flow and boost energy levels. Masturbation is another way to help increase libido naturally. It can increase arousal and lead to orgasms, according to some studies.
4. Talk to Your Partner
It’s not uncommon for libido to fluctuate throughout the month, and that’s why it’s important to keep an open line of communication with your partner about how you are feeling. This is also an opportunity to talk about how you want to handle your birth control, so that you and your partner are on the same page.
Some forms of birth control work by altering the body’s natural hormonal balance, which can have a direct impact on your desire to make love. For example, some forms of oral contraceptives (the pill) decrease testosterone levels, which can lead to a low libido. And others increase progesterone, which can cause depression and lower libido in some women.
In contrast, the hormone-free Mirena implant contains only progestin and does not affect libido. Additionally, the copper IUD may increase libido compared to other methods of contraception, and it is unlikely to decrease sex drive — though you can still experience pain during intercourse from the strings that attach to the uterus. You might also experience an irregular menstrual cycle and miss periods occasionally (amenorrhea). Talk to your doctor if these symptoms are too much for you.
5. Try Masturbation
Many women of reproductive age have experienced a change in their libido after starting a new form of birth control. Some forms of hormonal birth control, like the pill, implant, and ring, can decrease your ability to become aroused or have orgasms.
Other forms of birth control, such as the copper IUD, do not use hormones at all and are less likely to have a negative impact on your libido. Foreplay and masturbation can be a great way to boost your libido while on mirena, so be sure to try sex toys (vibrators are always a good idea), explore erogenous zones (nipples are pretty much the sexiest place ever) and have fun exploring different positions that feel hot. You can also give your imagination a workout with romance novels, online erotica, or pornography to get you going.
And don’t forget to always use lube! It can help make your masturbation sessions more pleasurable and reduce friction, especially if you’re using a toy that can reach all the way back to your cervix. Some people even enjoy masturbating alone, which is completely normal and has no risk of getting you a sexually transmitted infection (don’t worry, it won’t make you blind or give you spots). Be sure to watch out for any signs that your cervix may be irritated during masturbation though, as this can cause pain and lead to a decrease in desire.