title: Hormonal contraception and sexual desire: a critical review.
abstract: This paper reviews the medical literature from the past thirty years to examine the relationship between hormonal contraception and sexual desire. Although sexual side effects have been noted in various subgroups of women using hormonal contraception, no consistent pattern of effect exists to suggest a hormonal or biological determinant. Effects on sexual desire most likely represent a complex and idiosyncratic combination of biological, psychological, and social effects. Further research is required to identify which factors may have the greatest effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA. schaffir.1@osu.edu
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schaffir
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal