BC Pills Affecting Libido

Yes, the mini pill did this to me as well! I didn't realize it had killed my sex drive until I went off it, and magically, I began to get those special feelings again!!

Have you thought about doing the Depo shots? I have been on them since my son was born 3.5 yrs ago with no bad effects. I couldn't take the pills either. Major moodiness and weight gain. With the shot you go in every 12 weeks to get the shot and don't have to think about it again. It is safe to use while breastfeeding, I did for the first 9 months of my sons life (he had latch issues so I had to pump every ounce he got but never had an issue with supply).

While it might be the pills, it might also be some lingering post-partum issues. Check with your ob-gyn. If it is the pills, then ditch them for something else like a non-hormonal IUD or have your husband use condoms. You could even try spermicide.

Birth control does affect sex drive. Most of them do. You can try a pill with lower doses or hormones. Another option is to try birth control that does not include hormone therapy. I think the IUD or path uses a different kind of therapy, but I can't remember. Ask your OBGYN about medicines that do not release hormones.

You have 3 children under the age of 4, you just had a baby and are breastfeeding! Of course you have no libido, you don't have time for one! When my 3rd was born, I refused to go back on the pill. Its just not safe for women over 35. My husband said that he would get snipped, but it hasn't happened yet, so we're using condoms. No hormones. I don't have to worry about the weight gain (depo shots made me soooo hungry), the moodiness, the itchy patches, I've tried them all. Not to mention that I got prego while on the patch. Talk to your ob if you want, but give your body some time. You're a very busy lady and you're not a superwoman.

my guess it is......I tried several pills after my son and all did the same thing. so we opted for another method till we were ready to have our daughter. then I tried the pills again,. same thing.....not worth it to me!

I had the same problem. It lasted more than a year. (a long time to go without...) When I finally realized that it was the bc pills, my doctor switched me to a different kind and the libido came back.

Good Luck

It is very possible it is the pills. BC has had some horrible affects on me and I didn't even realize it until I stopped taking them. I had all that you described plus some including thinning hair. I only stopped taking them a month ago but felt alot better a few days after stopping and it has gotten better and better each day. Those hormones can sure make you crazy... just ask my husband! LOL!

Hi M.,

I have always been on birth control pills, over 20 years. We had our son, which is also 3 1/2, but immediately went back on them. I've been on several different brands, and none seemed to affect my libido. I'm currently taking a low dose pill also, so far so good. My lack of libido is due to the stress of a child (can't imagine three) and the daily routine of life( working part time) plus bills, deadlines, etc. Could you possibly think about a babysitter one night, and have a nice dinner with your husband? Just might improve your mood...and other things...LOL

It could be the pills, but frankly for the first 4 months after I had my babies I wasn't interested in sex at all. Part of it is just you are tired. Trying to keep up the housework and take care of three children under four is exhausting in and of itself.
Mood swings are normal because of hormones after a child is born anyway so I don't think you can entirely blame the pills for that either.
I suggest you plan a romantic dinner for just the two of you after the children are in bed and remember that all children eat a peck of dirt in their youth and your husband is in love with you, loves his children, and he isn't worried about it all the laundry is done and put away and if he is going to trip over a toy on his way to the bathroom. A little snuggle time, with or without sex is just as important to him. Snuggle a little and tell him how important he is to all of you.

Mini pills have less hormones in them then regular pills, so the side effects shouldn't be as intense. I'm wondering if it's not some post partum depression. You may want to speak to your doctor about that. I know that after I had my daughter the absolute LAST thing I wanted to do was be intimate. I wanted my husband NO WHERE near me! Your hormones are still in flux right now too. It looks like your baby is still pretty young too. Give yourself a little time to recover.

Amen sista! My husband is really trying with not much success...hahaha. I believe it is the pill. I was off the pill for 3 years while trying to get prego and being prego. It was great! I had energy, lost weight, and we always had smiles on our faces (nudge, nudge). I want to go back to those days. I have been back on for 2 years now and I hate it. My hubby went to the doctor for his annual physical and asked about getting snipped. She said she wouldn't do it because he was too young - 36. We are at the point that we are thinking of trying to find a doc to do it. I NEED to get off these stupid pills. He has 3 kids and is going to be 37. I think we are good. Anyway, to answer your question, yes, it is probably the pills and most pills are created equal. My suggestion is to talk to your doctor and try to find one that works the best for you, but as I said before, they are all generally made the same. And, to top it off, your doctor has usually been shmoozed by one of the companies that makes the pills and usually only prescribes one particular brand. I complained and my doctor wanted to use some kind of washing machine implant. I am not real keen on having a plactic piece stuck in me. Yuck. My friend had the "Jelly bracelet" (I can't remember the real name) in her. She went to look for it and couldn't find it. She dug and dug and finally went to the doctor. It had fallen out. Scary!

Good luck on your treck, I hope you can find your solution!

I couldn't take BC pills for all the reasons you described plus some. Have you considered an IUD? The Paragard is a hormone Free device and it's good for 10 years if you need it for that long. If not, you can have it removed & get Pregnant right away. This was the only option left for me. I tried over a dozen BC pills & all had terrible side effects so I know what you are going through. Good luck in your decision!

I was on BC for so long I never even realized how much they affected me in this way and in others as well until I went off of them. They are convenient, but is it worth the other problems? That's a decision you have to make. Go off of them for 6 months, and see what happens. But make sure you give it more than a month or two because some people it takes awhile for your body to come back to it's natural state ofter going off them.