How to boost your sex drive while using birth control
It’s common for women to experience reduced libido while they’re on the pill or taking an injected form of contraception (such as Depo-Provera, Sayana Press or Noristerat). This is because contraception works by changing your hormone levels to prevent your body moving through the fertility cycle, thereby messing with the natural hormones that would normally create arousal and desire.
The benefits of contraception
The obvious positive to contraceptive pills or injections is that you’re far less likely to get pregnant!
However, there are other reasons, including:
- To improve the hormone balance, thereby clearing up acne or skin imperfections
- To get periods into a natural rhythm or to calm a heavy flow
- Sometimes even to increase sex-drive – these lucky people have a hormone balance which makes the pill reduce their risk of pregnancy while keeping their libido high
How can I improve my libido?
There are a few obvious ways to improve your libido by making minor changes.
Condoms, for example, are an excellent way to stay safe and rule out pregnancy while maintaining your hormone levels. But if you like the bareback feeling then they might not be the right choice for you. There are other choices for non-hormonal contraceptive methods (e.g. FAM, cervical caps, etc.) to look into, for which you best consult with your doctor as each method has its pros and cons.
Here are some other options to get your juices flowing – quite literally!
Communication
Number one on the list is to tell your partner how you’re feeling and why. If they understand why you might not be ready for penetration as quickly as they’re used to, they can help build you up to it.
Talking through this will mean that you don’t feel self-conscious about taking longer to get in the mood and will mean their ego isn’t hurt when they notice you aren’t ready to go.
Sex toys
Spicing things up will always help when your sex drive isn’t on top form. Sex toys are one option for boosting your desire.
Experiment with vibrators, dildos or clit sucker toys. The more orgasms you have, the easier it is for you to have them, so it’s important to keep the rhythm. For a guaranteed fun time, we recommend the Lelo Sona Sonic Clitoral Massager (see picture).
With the pink Lelo Sona sonic massager, Lelo offers a new paradigm of pleasure, with a fluttering, pulsing sex toy that stimulates the entire clitoris for a different kind of orgasm. The sonic waves penetrate deeply throughout the sensitive, nerve-rich clitoral region, bringing you to a prolonged climax after a sensual build-up.
£89.99
Sale price
£71.99
A longer build-up
Sometimes you might feel ready to go in your head, but your body isn’t quite there yet. This can leave you feeling self-conscious and won’t do much for your partner’s confidence, either.
Try a longer build-up. Sure, penetration is your end goal, but it’s not a race to get there. Try to warm your body up more gradually by kissing, making use of all those great erogenous zones, and teasing each other towards greater arousal.
When you’re not feeling ready, it’s great to start doing something pleasurable for your partner first. The more you do for them and the more you feel their enjoyment, the more turned on you will be, too.
Lots of lube
If you want to get ahead of the game, lube is a fantastic way forward. If your body isn’t quite ready for penetration, a little lube will help get you started. Take care to go slow until it feels good.
Lube is also a way to add some fun and play, check out flavoured lube and tingling lube to add new sensations and possibilities. For a great all-rounder lube, check out the Lubido Paraben-Free Water-Based Lubricant (see picture).
Lubido’s water-based natural feel lubricant enhances sensation and makes your sexual experience smoother and more sensual. It is a very versatile glide that improves pleasure and sensation during any type of sexual stimulation, be it vaginal, anal, with sex toys, or during masturbation.
£9.99
Sale price
£7.99
Sexy lingerie
Sometimes just feeling a little sexier can get you in the mood. Slip into something silky and strike a pose on the bed in sexy lingerie. Seeing your partner’s face when they mentally undress you is sure to get your juices flowing.
For a piece that will make you feel comfortable and seductive at the same time, take a look at the black Cupless and Crotchless Lace Basque set from Cottelli (pictured).
This cupless and crotchless lace basque from Cottelli Lingerie is a captivating ensemble featuring a black open cup cami suspenders and a crotchless thong set. Crafted from delicate powernet with lace detailing at the front, the soft and stretchy fabric ensures maximum wearing comfort. The bare breasts are alluringly framed by white pearl chains, secured through snap hooks to decorative rings.
Sale price
£54.99
Masturbation
It’s not all about improving your libido with a partner. Sometimes you just need to indulge and feel good on your own. The important thing is that you know what you like, and there’s no timer on how long you take. Play, explore and experiment with sex toys.
Take a look at the Love To Love Bunny And Clyde Tapping Rabbit Vibrator for a guaranteed fun time (see picture).
Bunny and Clyde by Love To Love packs powerful stimulation, giving you a classic rabbit vibrator with an added tapping function to pleasure the G-spot. The smaller vibrating shaft is designed to stimulate your clitoris. You can adjust each independent motor across 10 tapping and 10 vibration modes.
£91.99
Sale price
£82.79
Once you’ve found what you like, you won’t be able to get enough!