Ahh, The Pill. From allowing us to have sex without falling pregnant to clearing up acne and reducing period pain, it certainly does have its merits. But as we’re all aware, the contraceptive has also been linked to a number of side effects that range from annoying to downright scary. Weight gain, pigmentation, an increased risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis… the list goes on. And if you’ve noticed your sex drive has taken a nosedive since you started taking those little white pills, you’re not imagining things. There’s scientific evidence to suggest that The Pill can negatively effect the female libido.
When taking The Pill, the hormone testosterone that drives libido is inhibited. As a result, women risk losing their interest in sex. Pretty ironic, considering The Pill was created for the sexual revolution!
–Dr Amanda Waaldyk, Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Doctor
Obviously, this isn’t exactly ideal. Having a healthy sex life is vital to not only to your relationship, but your overall wellbeing, too. But at the same time, there are various reasons as to why it may not be feasible to go off it. Thankfully, there are a few natural ways you can that may help you get that loving feeling back while on The Pill.
Get your adaptogen fix
In case you need a refresher, adaptogens are health-enhancing herbs that are used in Ayurvedic healing for everything from boosting your metabolism to increasing your energy. As it turns out, the powerful herbs can also be used to balance your hormones and ramp up your libido! Specifically, Maca, Ashwagandha and Pine Pollen have all been found to have a positive effect on the female sex drive. To find out more about how to use them, check out this article.
Load up on libido foods
When you think of libido-boosting foods, chances are oysters are what come to mind. But if the slimy delicacy doesn’t quite do it for you, there are also plenty of other lesser-known aphrodisiacs that may do the trick. Chili, avocado, asparagus, figs and honey are some of the surprising foods that have been linked to increasing libido. Failing that, there’s always everyone’s all time favourite aphrodisiac — chocolate!
Prioritise self-care
While hormones are to blame for reducing your libido while you’re on The Pill, excessive stress definitely doesn’t help. It’s pretty hard to get in the mood when you can’t get your mind off work, bills or other anxiety-inducing topics! For this reason, it’s crucial to make time for self-care activities to give yourself a chance to unwind before you head into the bedroom. This could mean doing a meditation session, having a bath or listening to some chill-out music. Oh, and we know you’ve heard it a million times before, but keep your phone and other electronics out of the bedroom, too! Not only does the blue light mess with your sleep, they can be distracting when you’re getting it on.
Try acupuncture
It’s hard to believe that sticking needles into your face could make you want to hop into the sack. But acupuncture has been used to treat sexual issues for centuries and there’s evidence to suggest that it can do great things for the female libido. A study from two US universities revealed that a series of four acupuncture treatments showed significant improvements in the female client’s sex drive. At the very least, you should feel a lot more relaxed and balanced after your sessions!
