U.S. doctors online nowAsk doctors free
Boston, MA
A 32-year-old female asked:

I have heard the progestin in birth control pills can affect libido. which matters more, the specific kind of progestin or the dosage amount?

1 doctor answer6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Shariq Refai
Psychiatry 15 years experience
Either one: either one can affect libido. Since it affects people differently, the only way to know if it affects you or not is to take it and see.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Related questions

A 20-year-old female asked:
I take a very low dosage of spironolactone ( 25 mg twice a day) for acne purposes. I am a 20 year old girl and also take Yaz birth control. Am I allowed to take ashwagandha supplements to help lessened libido while taking spironolactone?
Dr. Gurmukh Singh
Pathology 51 years experience
The supplements are not regulated and you would not know what is in the preparation being sold. Many such preparations have injurious chemicals. I wou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
View all answers
A 38-year-old member asked:
Does anybody know of a birth control pill that doesn't cause you to lose your libido?
Dr. Donald Jacobson
A Verified Doctoranswered
42 years experience
BCP's and libido: www.health.com/health/condition-article/0, 20326845, 00.Html the pill is a very effective form of birth control, but it's not without side effects, a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old male asked:
My wife was on many estrogen birth control pills but they all seem to affect her mood. I was told progestin pills don't affect moods. Is that true?
Dr. Jie Xu
Dr. Jie Xuanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 19 years experience
No.: Not necessarily. A side effect of progestins is depression. That doesn't mean she shouldn't try it. As long as your healthcare provider is on board, s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old female asked:
When I take birth control it makes me nauseous and kills my libido. Is this normal? Is nuvaring a good alternative for pill birth control?
Dr. Charles Whiting
Obstetrics and Gynecology 29 years experience
Maybe: Some women do report a loss of libido or nausea with birth-control pills. Nuvaring might be a worth exploring. . You might also try a different pil... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 32-year-old female asked:
What is meant by the androgenic activity level of the progestin in birth control pills? What effects, positive or negative, can it have on patients?
Dr. Gerard Honore
Fertility Medicine 31 years experience
Most (if not all): progestins have some androgenic ("male-hormone like") effects, even though they are not androgens. Some have more, some less. Usual mild effects of an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Last updated Sep 28, 2016

Disclaimer:

Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.