The Pill linked to low libido in women

Women taking hormonal contraceptives are at higher risk of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), according to a new study.

Female sexual dysfunction is a common disorder in women, often caused by a low sexual desire. Around two in every five women experience it at least once, said Dr Lisa-Maria Walleiner from the University of Heidelberg, who led the research.

"Sexual problems can have a negative impact on both quality of life and emotional well-being, regardless of age," she added.

Past studies have shown that stress and relationship problems can affect a woman's sex drive, but this new research suggests that hormonal contraceptives may also reduce her libido.

In the study, the researchers analysed data from 1,086 German medical students who filled in detailed questionnaires about their sexual activity, type of contraception used and lifestyle factors.

The vast majority of women were sexually active within four weeks of being surveyed and had been using contraception in the last 6 months.

The results, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, found that women using hormonal contraception were at highest risk of FSD compared with those using non-hormonal types of contraception, such as condoms, who were at lowest risk.

One of the researchers, Dr Harald Seeger from the University of Tuebingen, commented: "We would also urge some caution in interpretation of our present results and would like to highlight that this type of study cannot demonstrate causality but rather association and there might exist a multitude of factors that have an impact on female sexual function."

He also added that further research is needed to investigate the different levels of hormones used in contraception and what effect they may have on libido.

This article was published on Tue 4 May 2010