Woo hoo! 3 cheers for women's lib - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

zz0011 · 01-03-2006, 03:09 AM

Maybe the pill wasn't the great liberator? You decide...

Quote:

Pill linked to reduction in women's sexual desire
By Jeremy Laurance Health Editor

Published: 03 January 2006

Millions of sexually active women who rely on the contraceptive pill may be putting themselves at risk of long-term sexual dysfunction.

Scientists believe they have uncovered the mechanism that leads to mood swings, health problems and sexual difficulties among some users of the pill which persist even when they stop taking it. They say GPs should be aware of the pill's physiological effects before assuming women's sexual problems are psychological.

But family planning experts said it was almost impossible to show a true association between the pill and loss of sexual desire, or sexual problems, because there were many other confounding factors. The latest American study of 124 women with sexual problems lasting more than six months showed they had reduced levels of "unbound" testosterone.

Testosterone is the male sex hormone, but it is also present in females at lower levels and plays a key role in sexual, metabolic and mental health.

The researchers found high levels of a protein that binds testosterone, rendering it unavailable to the body, in users of the pill. The high level of the protein persisted in women who had stopped taking it.

Long-term exposure to the oestrogens in the pill may lead to gene imprinting which results in over-production of the protein called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), the researchers say. This may lead to long-term problems with low levels of "unbound" testosterone. The pill is the most common contraceptive in the UK with 3.5 million users. Worldwide that figure is 100 million.

André Guay, co-author of the study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine and director of the Centre for Sexual Function in Peabody, Massachusetts, said: "This study is a revelation. For years we have known that a subset of women using oral contraceptives suffer from decreased sex drive. We know that the pill suppresses ovulation and the male hormone [through production of SHBG]. Therefore these pills decrease a woman's male hormone availability by two separate mechanisms. No wonder so many women have had symptoms."

Claudia Panzer, an endocrinologist in Denver and co-author of the study, said: "Physicians prescribing oral contraceptives should point out to their patients potential side effects."

She added: "If women present with these complaints, it is crucial to recognise the link between sexual dysfunction and the oral contraceptive."

Several studies in the past 30 years have suggested the pill may cause problems. But Toni Belfield, director of information for the UK Family Planning Association, said: "Sexual relationships are very complex. How we feel and what we do all relate to what we feel sexually. The pill does have side effects in some women and may affect their mood.

"But women on the pill may be going through other things - the break-up of a relationship, leaving home for the first time - that affect them. Most studies have been unable to draw a true association with sexual problems."

Millions of sexually active women who rely on the contraceptive pill may be putting themselves at risk of long-term sexual dysfunction.

Scientists believe they have uncovered the mechanism that leads to mood swings, health problems and sexual difficulties among some users of the pill which persist even when they stop taking it. They say GPs should be aware of the pill's physiological effects before assuming women's sexual problems are psychological.

But family planning experts said it was almost impossible to show a true association between the pill and loss of sexual desire, or sexual problems, because there were many other confounding factors. The latest American study of 124 women with sexual problems lasting more than six months showed they had reduced levels of "unbound" testosterone.

Testosterone is the male sex hormone, but it is also present in females at lower levels and plays a key role in sexual, metabolic and mental health.

The researchers found high levels of a protein that binds testosterone, rendering it unavailable to the body, in users of the pill. The high level of the protein persisted in women who had stopped taking it.

Long-term exposure to the oestrogens in the pill may lead to gene imprinting which results in over-production of the protein called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), the researchers say. This may lead to long-term problems with low levels of "unbound" testosterone. The pill is the most common contraceptive in the UK with 3.5 million users. Worldwide that figure is 100 million.
André Guay, co-author of the study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine and director of the Centre for Sexual Function in Peabody, Massachusetts, said: "This study is a revelation. For years we have known that a subset of women using oral contraceptives suffer from decreased sex drive. We know that the pill suppresses ovulation and the male hormone [through production of SHBG]. Therefore these pills decrease a woman's male hormone availability by two separate mechanisms. No wonder so many women have had symptoms."

Claudia Panzer, an endocrinologist in Denver and co-author of the study, said: "Physicians prescribing oral contraceptives should point out to their patients potential side effects."

She added: "If women present with these complaints, it is crucial to recognise the link between sexual dysfunction and the oral contraceptive."

Several studies in the past 30 years have suggested the pill may cause problems. But Toni Belfield, director of information for the UK Family Planning Association, said: "Sexual relationships are very complex. How we feel and what we do all relate to what we feel sexually. The pill does have side effects in some women and may affect their mood.

"But women on the pill may be going through other things - the break-up of a relationship, leaving home for the first time - that affect them. Most studies have been unable to draw a true association with sexual problems."

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/hea...icle336272.ece

Seaver · 01-03-2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Scientists believe they have uncovered the mechanism that leads to mood swings

Women have mood swings.
Women eat chocolat.

CHOCOLAT CAUSES CANCER!

Sorry... couldnt help myself

maleficent · 01-03-2006, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Scientists believe they have uncovered the mechanism that leads to mood swings,

oh god, wouldn't that be nice -- to never ever hear a woman utter again - it's not me - i'm bitchy because... it's pms --

Just be bitchy!!!

zz0011 · 01-03-2006, 11:05 AM

I guess I thought the story had an interesting irony, too. Wasn't one of the predominant lines which accompanied the pill that it would allow women power to control their sexuality? I mean no disrespect in trying to present that point of view, but it seems that was it, no? Now apparently according to the story perhaps just the opposite is true? Just seemed ironic and in that way humorous to me.

maleficent · 01-03-2006, 11:11 AM

The pill gave women control over their reproductive rights, I'm not sure that's exactly the same as control over their sexuality. Yeah, it made it a lot easier to go out and get laid without having to worry about the rabbit dying in a month or so...

The side effects, have always been there. in early years, it was more about blood clots and other such stuff, in later years, it's been more about the 'emotional side of things'

Like any 'wonder drug' it's got it's plusses and minuses... nothing is free from side effects... I'm honestly surprised that there haven't been class action law suits from women (or their partners) suing for diminished libidos from use of the pill

JustJess · 01-03-2006, 11:19 AM

IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW!!!

8 years of being on the pill/similar hormonal BC, and suddenly, I am no longer crazy.

May our libidos return to their former glories.

maleficent · 01-03-2006, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seaver

Women have mood swings.
Women eat chocolat.

So then you think this is some sort of conspiracy thought up by the drug manufacturers and godiva?

rlynnm · 01-03-2006, 11:40 AM

Aren't we inherently bound to have mood swings? LOL. I had them before I started the pill.

cellophanedeity · 01-03-2006, 11:49 AM

haha, I wonder if it's universally causing sexual disfunction... I really hope not... I'd be even happier and hornier than I am now. Simon'd die!

uptown · 01-10-2006, 06:03 AM

Unwanted babies are also huge killers of female libedo.

eMOTIONal20 · 01-10-2006, 01:02 PM

GIVE ME BACK MY TESTOSTERONE!!!

Seriously though... whenever the male birth control pill comes out... I'm throwing mine away and letting the men have the experience.

I traded sex with a condom (which was just an absolute hassle and definitely not pleasurable) for more moodiness and a slightly lower sex drive. It happens to actually be a marvelous trade-off.

Bah! Who needs testosterone?!

abaya · 01-12-2006, 12:17 PM

Yeah, I think I've got enough testosterone running through my body to override any inhibiting factor from my hormonal BC (the ring).. ktspktsp will vouch for that, given our outstanding record of getting it on (especially in the last two weeks, in Lebanon!!). I want sex, and I want it now.

And let me just say that I have ALWAYS been moody, long before I even started having sex or using BC. So I don't fit into their little study, I guess.

01-03-2006, 11:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
zz0011 Crazy Location: buckle of the snow belt	I guess I thought the story had an interesting irony, too. Wasn't one of the predominant lines which accompanied the pill that it would allow women power to control their sexuality? I mean no disrespect in trying to present that point of view, but it seems that was it, no? Now apparently according to the story perhaps just the opposite is true? Just seemed ironic and in that way humorous to me. __________________ 10th sig ~> "How many a dispute could have been deflated into a single paragraph if the disputants had dared to define their terms?" -- Aristotle

01-03-2006, 11:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	The pill gave women control over their reproductive rights, I'm not sure that's exactly the same as control over their sexuality. Yeah, it made it a lot easier to go out and get laid without having to worry about the rabbit dying in a month or so... The side effects, have always been there. in early years, it was more about blood clots and other such stuff, in later years, it's been more about the 'emotional side of things' Like any 'wonder drug' it's got it's plusses and minuses... nothing is free from side effects... I'm honestly surprised that there haven't been class action law suits from women (or their partners) suing for diminished libidos from use of the pill __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

01-03-2006, 11:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
JustJess Unencapsulated Location: Kittyville	IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW!!! 8 years of being on the pill/similar hormonal BC, and suddenly, I am no longer crazy. May our libidos return to their former glories. __________________ My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'.

01-03-2006, 11:40 AM	#8 (permalink)
rlynnm Psycho Location: so cal	Aren't we inherently bound to have mood swings? LOL. I had them before I started the pill. __________________ The hardest thing is to be honest with yourself, especially if that means completely redefining the world you've come to know. Don't look too hard, I'm right in front of you.

01-10-2006, 01:02 PM	#11 (permalink)
eMOTIONal20 Crazy Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado	GIVE ME BACK MY TESTOSTERONE!!! Seriously though... whenever the male birth control pill comes out... I'm throwing mine away and letting the men have the experience. I traded sex with a condom (which was just an absolute hassle and definitely not pleasurable) for more moodiness and a slightly lower sex drive. It happens to actually be a marvelous trade-off. Bah! Who needs testosterone?! __________________ "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi

01-03-2006, 11:49 AM	#9 (permalink)
cellophanedeity Heliotrope Location: A warm room	haha, I wonder if it's universally causing sexual disfunction... I really hope not... I'd be even happier and hornier than I am now. Simon'd die!

01-10-2006, 06:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
uptown Insane	Unwanted babies are also huge killers of female libedo.

01-12-2006, 12:17 PM	#12 (permalink)
abaya Location: Iceland	Yeah, I think I've got enough testosterone running through my body to override any inhibiting factor from my hormonal BC (the ring).. ktspktsp will vouch for that, given our outstanding record of getting it on (especially in the last two weeks, in Lebanon!!). I want sex, and I want it now. And let me just say that I have ALWAYS been moody, long before I even started having sex or using BC. So I don't fit into their little study, I guess. __________________ And think not you can direct the course of Love; for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. --Khalil Gibran