Don't lose that loving feeling

A psychology professor at SF State has discovered that users of triphasic birth control pills are more likely to enjoy sexual intercourse, have more vaginal lubrication and have a higher frequency of sexual thoughts and fantasies when compared to those who use monophasic pills.

Norma McCoy's study was based on 364 women, ages 18 to 26, attending SF State in 1989 and 1990. The findings were based on an anonymous questionnaire these women answered concerning their sexuality.

"The study has really been misinterpreted in the sense that some people feel that the data suggest that birth-control pills are some kind of aphrodisiac. The design of the study is such that you can't answer the question, 'Do all birth-control pills increase or decrease sexuality?' What it (the study) really tells us is that sexuality will be greater with the triphasic pill than it is with the monophasic," McCoy said.

Monophasic and triphasic pills both contain the same synthetic hormones and the same amount of estradiol. The significant difference between the two pills is in the amount of progestin, a synthetic hormone that prevents ovulation.

"The triphasic pill has a steady dose of estrogen which typically does not change, but the progestin will vary three times. The hormone dose a woman takes in monophasic pills, on the other hand, stays exactly the same," McCoy said.

The study compared the monophasic and triphasic pills from Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp. that use the same synthetic hormones. The dose of the progestin in their monophasic pill is 1 microgram (mg.), whereas the dose in their triphasic pill increases from 0.5 to 0.75 to 1 mg. with an average exposure to progestin of 0.75 mg.
The lower exposure to progestin, found in the triphasic pills, means there is less suppression of the ovary which results in more vaginal lubrication and enhances levels of sexual interest for women using this type of pill.

"The basis of this research is so one at least has an understanding why people using one type of pill might be more sexy than people using another. This would have to do with less suppression of the ovary, particularly in terms of hormone production," McCoy said.

Compared to active non-pill users, the monophasic users have significantly less vaginal lubrication. When triphasic users were compared to the active non-users there was no difference.

"Triphasic users are not being as affected in terms of vaginal lubrication which is consistent with the idea that the ovary is being allowed to produce more hormones by the triphasic pill," McCoy said.

Heather Callahan, a junior majoring in English literature, has tried two brands of the triphasic pills; Tri-Phasil and Tri-Norinyl.

"None of the pills I've ever been on increased my sexuality," Callahan said.
Ann Wenzell, a freshman with an undeclared major, said she used Tri-Phasil for a year and didn't notice any difference.

Hitomi Takahashi, a graduate student majoring in English, said that she uses a triphasic birth control pill, but hasn't noticed any difference in her sex drive.
"I don't think there's a difference in my sexuality," said Takahashi, who is currently using Ortho Novum 7/7/7.

Some of the health benefits attributed to the use of oral contraceptives include protection against ovarian cysts, iron-deficiency anemia and benign breast cysts.
Susan Feldkamp, a staff nurse and the coordinator for the HIV program for the health center on campus, said that she was surprised to learn about the study.

"I read a lot and I haven't heard anything about it," Feldkamp said. " But, if you don't have to worry about getting pregnant, then naturally your sex level is enhanced because you can relax and enjoy sex more."

[ Golden Gater Online September 5, 1996 ]

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