The Pill: Mood swings and Sexuality

Birth control pill is one of the most popular form of contraception. Each type of contraception may have potentially controversial side effects, but that also depends on the individual herself. 

The effect of the contraception drug regiment may affect not only your physical health but also your mental health. Experts provide some benefits and downfalls of contraceptives in term of mental health. 

 

Contraceptive pills which contains hormones estrogen and progesterone has ability to impact mental health. This is because of the effect synthetic hormones on a woman’s body that can upset the balance of natural hormones.

This disruption of hormones can cause mood swings and even depression in women. In fact, women are more likely to become severely depressed if they are taking hormonal contraceptive. Any woman with a history of depression, anxiety, panic disorders, mood swings or seasonal affective disorder (less common in Malaysia) should consider how well she manages her mental health. This is because as a woman starts taking a hormone-containing contraceptive, any underlying mental health issue may be worsened. Therefore it is advised that you would discuss with your Doctor about the presence of any current or past emotional issues, and whether it could be managed when you are taking the pills

There are also reports on change in sexual behavior after a woman starts taking oral contraceptives. Such effect may be a direct result of the drug action or as a result of individual perception. 

As a woman takes hormonal contraceptive, she may has fewer worries about pregnancy. Thus she would be less refrained from having intercourse, as one of the major reasons why women refuse sexual contact is for fear of pregnancy. The reduced possibility of pregnancy will set their worries to rest, and may increase the frequency of the women's sexual activity, compared to before taking contraceptives. However this is not necessarily true all the time, as there have also been reports on women who had their sexual desires reduced while taking oral contraceptives.  

 

Oral contraceptives only protect against pregnancy but not sexually transmitted diseases. Use of physical barrier method may still be needed to prevent transmission of such diseases. Taking oral contraceptive while practicing sexual fidelity with a committed partner give extra assurance to women as they do not have to worry as much about STD. Various studies have shown that reduced pressure while having intercourse would increase sexual satisfaction. Absence of need for barrier method (i.e. condom) would remove interruption to sexual spontaneity, thus couples are likely to have a more pleasurable time.

Taking hormonal contraceptives can also reduce premenstrual syndrome. 

In conclusion, the positive consequences of oral contraceptive regiment are:  

               Increased intercourse frequency, if sexual desires are intact

               No interruption to sexual spontaneity, as in barrier methods

               Reduced  premenstrual symptoms

Negative consequences: May diminish sexual desire

                                        No protection from sexually transmitted infections

                                        Forgetting to take the tablet