Hormonal Contraception Puts Women at Higher Risk of Sexual Dysfunction, Study Finds By Katrina Woznicki
WebMD Health News Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

May 5, 2010 — A new European study has found that women who use hormonal contraceptives such as the birth control pill are more likely to experience sexual dysfunction such as reduced desire and arousal than women who use non-hormonal contraception and women who do not use contraception.

Reporting in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, the German researchers also find that women who used non-hormonal contraceptives, such as condoms, were at a lower risk for female sexual dysfunction (FSD) when compared with women who didn’t use contraception.

A possible link between hormonal contraception and sexual dysfunction has been reported before, but the studies have often produced conflicting results.

The Pill and Sexual Dysfunction

Researchers led by Lisa-Maria Wallwiener, MD, of the University of Heidelberg, Germany, surveyed more than 1,000 medical students about their sex lives and contraception choices. More than 87% of the students reported they had used contraceptives in the last six months. Eighty percent said they were in stable relationships; 97% reported being sexually active in the previous four weeks.

The students were divided into four groups: those who used oral hormonal contraception; those who used non-oral hormonal contraception, such as a vaginal ring; those who used non-hormonal contraception; and those who didn’t use contraception. Overall, the study results showed that:

32.4% were at risk for female sexual dysfunction8.7% were at risk for orgasm disorder5.8% were at risk for hypoactive sexual desire disorder2.6% were at risk for satisfaction problems1% were at risk for arousal disorder1.2% were at risk for decreased lubrication1.1% were at risk for pain

In addition to contraception choices, stress, pregnancy, smoking, relationship status, and a desire for children all influenced sexual function. Women who were in stable relationships, were nonsmokers, who had not been pregnant, and were not actively trying to have a baby were more likely to use oral contraceptives like the birth control pill, the research team reports. Women not in stable relationships — regardless of their contraception use — had higher sexual desire but lower orgasm scores.

“Sexual problems can have a negative impact on both quality of life and emotional well-being, regardless of age,” says Wallwiener, who lead the study. “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.”

Contracetptives Safe, Effective

Study co-author Alfred O. Mück, MD, PhD, tells WebMD in an email that any biological mechanisms behind hormonal contraceptive use and sexual dysfunction remain unclear at this point.

“Our study reveals only the association,” Mück says. “Hints at the biological mechanism could be received perhaps in the ongoing study in the future.”

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