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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Can birth control pills affect libido and orgasms?
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Can birth control pills affect libido and orgasms?
by helen, Oct 20, 1999 12:00AM
I am 21 and married to a wonderful husband. Our sex life started out well, but I gradually stopped having orgasms and now am finding my sex drive decreasing as well. I have a hard time believing that it can be only a mental problem, although I can see that it might make the problem worse. Can birth control pills lower libido and/or prevent orgasms? I am taking the combined pill Tricyclen.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS.MD-AJ, Oct 23, 1999 12:00AM
Helen,
I am sorry to hear that you that you are experiencing difficulties in your sex life. Sexual desire and the ability to achieve orgasm depend on several factors, such as biological drive, adequate self-esteem, previous good sexual experiences, the availability of an appropriate partner, and a good relationship in nonsexual areas with a partner, to name a few. Damage to, or absence of, any of these factors may result in diminished desire or difficulty with achieving orgasm. Lack of sexual desire or anorgasmia can also be the result of medical/health problems, medications (including oral contraceptives), alcohol or drug abuse, chronic stress, anxiety, depression, etc. I urge you to discuss your concerns further with your physician/gynecologist, and to seek evaluation by a mental health professional if you are experiencing psychological/psychiatric difficulties.
I am sorry to hear that you that you are experiencing difficulties in your sex life. Sexual desire and the ability to achieve orgasm depend on several factors, such as biological drive, adequate self-esteem, previous good sexual experiences, the availability of an appropriate partner, and a good relationship in nonsexual areas with a partner, to name a few. Damage to, or absence of, any of these factors may result in diminished desire or difficulty with achieving orgasm. Lack of sexual desire or anorgasmia can also be the result of medical/health problems, medications (including oral contraceptives), alcohol or drug abuse, chronic stress, anxiety, depression, etc. I urge you to discuss your concerns further with your physician/gynecologist, and to seek evaluation by a mental health professional if you are experiencing psychological/psychiatric difficulties.
