Women's Libido and Oral Contraceptives

[badfish51581]

Impact of oral contraceptives on sex hormone-binding globulin and androgen levels: a retrospective study in women with sexual dysfunction.
Panzer C, Wise S, Fantini G, Kang D, Munarriz R, Guay A, Goldstein I.

Department of Endocrinology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. [email protected]

INTRODUCTION: Oral contraceptives (OCs) have been the preferred method of birth control because of their high rate of effectiveness. OC use, however, has been associated with women's sexual health complaints and androgen insufficiency. OC use is associated with a decrease of androgen ovarian synthesis and an increase in the production of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). There have been limited studies assessing SHBG values after discontinuation of OC use. AIM: To retrospectively investigate SHBG levels before and after discontinuation of OC use. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Sex hormone-binding globulin values were compared at baseline, while on the OC, and well beyond the 7-day half-life of SHBG at 49-120 (mean 80) days and >120 (mean 196) days after discontinuation of OCs. METHODS: A total of 124 premenopausal women with sexual health complaints for >6 months met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Three groups of women were defined: (i) "Continued-Users" (N = 62; mean age 32 years) had been on OCs for >6 months and continued taking them; (ii) "Discontinued-Users" (N = 39; mean age 33 years) had been on OCs for >6 months and discontinued them; and (iii) "Never-Users" (N = 23; mean age 36 years) had never taken OCs. RESULTS: Sex hormone-binding globulin values in the "Continued-Users" were four times higher than those in the "Never-User" group (mean 157 +/- 13 nmol/L vs. 41 +/- 4 nmol/L; P < 0.0001). Despite a decrease in SHBG values after discontinuation of OC use, SHBG levels in "Discontinued-Users" remained elevated in comparison with "Never-Users" (N = 26; P < 0.0001 for >120 days). CONCLUSION: In women with sexual dysfunction, SHBG changes in "Discontinued-Users" did not decrease to values consistent with "Never-Users." Long-term sexual, metabolic, and mental health consequences might result as a consequence of chronic SHBG elevation. Does prolonged exposure to the synthetic estrogens of OCs induce gene imprinting and increased gene expression of SHBG in the liver in some women? Prospective research is needed.

PMID: 16409223 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

This decline in sexual function has overwhelming been my experience with girlfriends who were NOT on birth control and then went on birth control.

My question is would 3,4-Divanillyltetrahydrofuran be of use in restoring these levels. I know that designer supplements does not recommend this supplement for women citing that Nettle can alter the menstrual cycle. The only reference that I can find is from drugs.com write up that cites:

Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD, eds. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals . London: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996.

Anyone know prevalence and severity of affecting menstrual that was seen in this reference? It seems that a product like Activate Extreme could be an excellent option as long as the concerns about altering menstrual cycles was low.

Joe

 

[slow-mun]

Its been in my experience that time is the best healer for the lowered libido associated with contraceptives. My girlfriend has been on ortho evra(patch)for over a year(almost two) and the libido death seriously hurt our relationship for a while. After several months, it fixed itself and at this point I have no complaints at all. She is about to cease taking any contraceptives for a while(several months) and then start up on an oral again. I'm fairly sure this situation will repeat itself again, so I am curious as to what you find that helps.