Sex-drive on birthcontrol; sex-drive on period

[shinigami22.livejournal.com]

Hi--
long-time lurker, first-time poster.

I realise of course that, to a large extent, every woman's experience in different and individual and that ultimately this is a question only I can resolve. However, I am curious to get a feel for the general responses of the women on this community to help me consider my situation.

I have been on OTC-lo for approx. 15 months now, and has been generally very pleased with it. This isn't really about the specific brand, though. The only concern I have ever had is one that didn't occur to me at first, but with time: I am wondering if being on the pill is indeed affecting my sex drive.


I am only 20 now, and I started taking the pill before ever having sex, so I don't have much to compare it to. Because of childhood issues, I have never masturbated or fantasized much, but I was familiar with my body. The only time I have on NOT being on hormones while having sex is my "placebo week."

My boyfriend has told me many times that I am very horny on my period; much hornier than the other three weeks on average. I am beginning to feel that this might be very true. Now, I don't remember being particularly more horny on my period before taking the pill, but then again I was kind of out of touch with that aspect of myself then.

I am therefore honestly not sure whether it is the absence of extra hormones from the pill making me horny, or whether it is a natural occurrence of the cycle. Besides that, I can't decide if I should consider switching to another form of birth control (quitting completely is not an option right now).



My question to you ladies is then: Do you (either on birth control or not on birth control, for a contrast, please) normally feel extra-horny when on your period? I mean, really.

My instincts would say that it goes against the biological way of reproduction, but...::shurgs:: I also see how it could be very possible.


Thanks!

Comments

[hufflepuppy.livejournal.com]

I actually tend to feel liek a sex mad bunny rabbit the week before through the first day maybe and then its like go away i'm dying from cramps. :p

[casualflex.livejournal.com]

I crave sex like some women crave chocolate when I have my period. The more sex the better! Especially when I have really bad cramps - that's the best time to get laid...I say, take advantage of the natural extra lubrication and just giv'er. hehe

[existentialpony.livejournal.com]

When I PMS/through my period so long as I don't have cramps (I normally don't) I generally am more so than usual.

[evil-fizz.livejournal.com]

for me, it's the week leading up to my period that I can't get enough, although this isn't radically different from me most of the time. (I'm on the pill and have been since I was 17...I'm 23 now.)

If you're concerned about your hormone levels more generally, ask your doc to switch you to another brand of BC, i.e. one that has a consistent level of hormones throughout your cycle. Things like OTC and Estrostep have varying levels of hormone depending on the day you're taking it (hence the "tri" and "step" parts of the names.) there are low-dose pills with a consistent level of hormones...mine's a generic and it's called Microgestin.

[notaprettygirl.livejournal.com]

I have always been wildly horny while on my period, both when I was not on BC and now that I'm on OTC-Lo. I have friends who claim they are absolutely NOT horny while on their periods, so I think it may be an individual thing.

[jasminelily.livejournal.com]

When I wasn't on birth control, it was around ovulation. On birth control, it's the period time (when I'm not taking the active pills).

Question -- why would this cause you to want to switch pills?

[ilikemytie.livejournal.com]

I'm always horniest on my period or right before my period. I think it's because beforehand my natural lube goes crazy, and then during, of course you got the red wave slicking things up for you.

[arbore.livejournal.com]

I feel more horny right before my period and then while I have my period. It sucks though, because the week right after, I go into a state of depression (it's each time I start the new pack, so my mind is set on thinking it's the pill doing it).

[smokeline.livejournal.com]

Not on the pill, DEFINITELY horny when I've got my period. Maybe because my body knows orgasms make the cramps go away? (Sex really is such a cure-all...)

[midnightsnack04.livejournal.com]

I've been on OTC-lo for about 18 months now...and I definitely think that it's hindering my sex drive. I used to be a sex maniac before I got on it, but little by little since I started it, I've wanted to have sex less and less. Now I'm so, I guess, touchy during sex, that if my boyfriend says anything wrong, I completely turn off. It's so frustrating.

My friend said OTC-lo did that to her too; I actually have an appointment with my gyno to get my script changed. It seems like everything kind of wears off after a year and a half. Not only have I lost my sex drive, but my periods are getting heavier and longer than they have been since before I was on the pill, and my cramps are coming back.