Birth Control side effects?

[dedication]

So im hoping this is the place to check. I've been with my girlfriend for almost a year now, and we've been sexually active for about 8 months. About 4-5 months back we decided that the pill would be the best way to go about birth control, as condoms are simply not reliable enough. As of lately, well over the summer, sex is generally painful for her, and she has little to no sexual drive anymore. There are times when it feels good for her, but I'd say 90% of the time it hurts her. I always try for as much foreplay as possible, I'm no stranger to using my . I've tried to find ways to excite her, but lately it seems her drives dead. She takes a pill, not sure exactly which one, but it has left her naseuous in the past. She usually feels sick like clockwork, a few hours after taking the pill everyday. Now me, I just want to find a way for her to enjoy it like I do. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh and it's not age, as shes 21 and I dont think 21 year olds usually have a problem with sexual interests.

[dedication]

Oh and we do use lubrication most of the time to help as well.

[demonbuttercup]

Well the hormones in the pills can cause side effects such as nausea and lack of sex drive, ironic huh? lol Same thing has happened to me.
For the nausea, my DR recommended I take my pill at night. That way if I am feeling any weirdness a few hours later, it doesn't matter b/c I am asleep.
4-5 months is still relatively new to the pill. Sometimes it takes awhile for our bodies to get used to the extra hormones.
Sometimes you just have weigh the benefits over the side effects. I myself dont suffer from many of the side effects, so for me the positives outweigh it and I continue to take the pill.
For some women, the side effects are just too much to handle.

Glad you brought up the lube thing, b/c I would guess that the hormones could affect the abillity to produce enough nature lube.
On the other hand, sex isn't supposed to hurt!
If the lube is there and you know you've had sex w/ her before many times and it didn't hurt, then thats not normal.
I would suggest her going back to see her DR. She can tell him the pills make her nauseous and he can try another one. I am on Ortho Tricylcen Lo. It has lower doses of hormones so it doesn't seem to make me feel as whacky.
There are dozens of different pills, sometimes you have to try a few to see what works w/ your body.
She should mention all the things you said to her DR, lack of sex drive and painful sex... like I said, thats not normal.
good luck

[Brandye]

The primary side effects of hormonal contraception are nausea, breast tenderness and lack of natural lubrication. Many women try a few different pills before they find one that is acceptable. She should talk to her doctor about switching pills or trying the ring or wahtever.

[dedication]

she has had problems with natural lube in the past, but the biggest thing is that it hurts when it shouldnt. could this be something other than the birth control causing this? shes also shy when it comes to being naked, which she shouldnt be. she has a great body, and i definately tell her this every chance i get. I believe the pill type she is on is called Apri, which has been causing tons of issues. Are there any other types of birth control that would work, besides a condom? Sex with just a condom scares the hell out of me hehe.. too many ways for them to fail. Thanks in advance guys/girls

[Brandye]

If you really have these questions, look around. This stuff is posted several spots on this board. There are over 30 different pills on the market. There is enough difference among them that almost every woman will find one to be acceptable. She is the one who should be looking, not you, and she should start with her doctor, not an anonymous board.

She can also see Planned Parenthood or any women's Health clinic to get educated.

[dedication]

yeah its just hard to get her to go talk about these questions with her doctor, as shes fairly shy about them.