The contraceptive pill

Japan did not legalise the low-hormone birth control pill for contraceptive purposes until 1998.

Besides offering no protection against sexually transmitted diseases, the pill is known to have a number of side effects including light bleeding between menstrual periods, skipped periods, nausea, weight change, bloating and an increase in vaginal infections. The most serious side effects associated with the birth-control pill are an increased chance of developing depression, certain cancers , osteoporosisis and a greater chance of blood clots, strokes and heart attacks.

The pill also affects sexual desire and a recent article in the Metro newspaper revealed conclusive evidence that taking oral contraceptives causes a loss of libido because of the pill’s affect on testosterone. Though best known as a male hormone, testosterone is produced by women’s ovaries and governs her sex drive. A recent US study found that low testosterone levels induced by the pill lead to a decline in sexual desire.

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