Influence of Hormonal Birth Control on Attraction and Relationship Dynamics
Mikayla Flanz
Hormonal birth control is widely used for reproductive health and pregnancy prevention, but its effects extend beyond contraception. Research suggests that hormonal contraceptives can influence various aspects of attraction and relationship dynamics, including mate preferences, sexual desire, and even sensory perception. These changes can have implications for relationship satisfaction and the way partners perceive each other. Understanding these psychological and biological effects is crucial for individuals making contraceptive choices. One of the most significant ways hormonal birth control affects attraction is through its impact on mate selection. Several studies indicate that women on hormonal contraceptives may prefer partners with less masculine facial features compared to women who are not using these methods (Jones et al., 2005). This shift in preference is thought to be related to the hormonal changes induced by contraceptives, which mimic pregnancy-like states and may lead to favoring traits associated with caregiving and stability over those linked to genetic fitness and dominance (Alvergne & Lummaa, 2010). This phenomenon may have consequences when a woman stops using hormonal contraception. If her preferences revert to favoring more masculine traits, she may find herself less attracted to a partner she chose while on birth control. Research supports this idea, suggesting that women who selected their partners while using hormonal contraceptives report lower levels of relationship satisfaction after discontinuing their use, particularly if their partners have less masculine features (Roberts et al., 2014).
The effect of hormonal contraceptives on relationship satisfaction is a complex issue. A study by Roberts et al. (2012) found that women who met their partners while on hormonal birth control reported changes in satisfaction if they later discontinued use. This suggests that birth control use at the beginning of a relationship may shape long-term perceptions of a partner’s attractiveness and compatibility. Interestingly, women who stopped using hormonal contraceptives reported higher levels of dissatisfaction if their partners were rated as less conventionally attractive (Roberts et al., 2012). However, those whose partners had more traditionally attractive features experienced little to no change in satisfaction levels. This suggests that birth control may serve as a filter that affects initial partner selection in ways that persist even after its use ends. Sexual desire is another critical factor influenced by hormonal contraception. Many studies have examined the relationship between birth control and libido, with some finding significant reductions in sexual desire among users. In one study, 43% of women using hormonal contraceptives reported a decline in sexual desire, compared to only 12% of women using non hormonal methods (Sanders et al., 2001). This decrease in libido is thought to be due to the suppression of testosterone levels, which play a key role in regulating sexual arousal and desire. Reduced sexual desire can have a direct impact on relationship satisfaction, potentially leading to decreased intimacy and connection between partners. Couples in which one partner experiences a significant drop in libido due to contraceptive use may struggle with maintaining a fulfilling sexual relationship.
Beyond influencing attraction and desire, hormonal contraceptives may also alter sensory perception. Some studies suggest that women using birth control experience a decrease in olfactory and auditory sensitivity (Doty et al., 1981; Lobmaier et al., 2010). These changes may be subtle but could play a role in mate selection and attraction. Olfactory cues are particularly important in partner choice, as they can signal genetic compatibility. Some research suggests that women tend to prefer the scent of men whose immune system genes differ from their own, a preference that may be disrupted by hormonal contraception (Wedekind et al., 1995). If birth control alters olfactory perception, it could lead women to select partners they might not have found as attractive under natural hormonal conditions. While most research on birth control and attraction focuses on women, there is also evidence that men’s perceptions of their partners may be influenced by contraceptive use. Some studies suggest that men rate their partners as less attractive while the women are using hormonal birth control (Cobey et al., 2013). Additionally, men may even perceive themselves as less attractive when their partner is using birth control, possibly due to subtle changes in relationship dynamics and intimacy. The reasons for these changes are not entirely clear, but they may be linked to shifts in female behavior or subtle hormonal cues that affect mutual attraction. For example, hormonal fluctuations can influence female body odor, voice pitch, and flirtatious behaviors—all factors that can affect how attractive a partner appears (Feinberg et al., 2006).
Hormonal birth control is a powerful tool for reproductive management, but its influence extends into the psychological and relational domains. By altering mate preferences, sexual desire, sensory perception, and even partner perceptions, these contraceptives can shape relationship dynamics in significant ways. While birth control remains an essential option for many, understanding its broader effects can help individuals make more informed decisions about their contraceptive choices. Couples should consider discussing these potential influences and remain open to adjusting their relationship dynamics as needed. Further research is necessary to fully understand the complex ways hormonal birth control interacts with attraction and satisfaction, but current evidence suggests that its effects go beyond simple contraception.
About the Author
Mikayla Flanz (‘25) is a senior at Boston University concentrating in health science and human physiology.
References
The effect of hormonal contraceptives on relationship satisfaction is a complex issue. A study by Roberts et al. (2012) found that women who met their partners while on hormonal birth control reported changes in satisfaction if they later discontinued use. This suggests that birth control use at the beginning of a relationship may shape long-term perceptions of a partner’s attractiveness and compatibility. Interestingly, women who stopped using hormonal contraceptives reported higher levels of dissatisfaction if their partners were rated as less conventionally attractive (Roberts et al., 2012). However, those whose partners had more traditionally attractive features experienced little to no change in satisfaction levels. This suggests that birth control may serve as a filter that affects initial partner selection in ways that persist even after its use ends. Sexual desire is another critical factor influenced by hormonal contraception. Many studies have examined the relationship between birth control and libido, with some finding significant reductions in sexual desire among users. In one study, 43% of women using hormonal contraceptives reported a decline in sexual desire, compared to only 12% of women using non hormonal methods (Sanders et al., 2001). This decrease in libido is thought to be due to the suppression of testosterone levels, which play a key role in regulating sexual arousal and desire. Reduced sexual desire can have a direct impact on relationship satisfaction, potentially leading to decreased intimacy and connection between partners. Couples in which one partner experiences a significant drop in libido due to contraceptive use may struggle with maintaining a fulfilling sexual relationship.
Beyond influencing attraction and desire, hormonal contraceptives may also alter sensory perception. Some studies suggest that women using birth control experience a decrease in olfactory and auditory sensitivity (Doty et al., 1981; Lobmaier et al., 2010). These changes may be subtle but could play a role in mate selection and attraction. Olfactory cues are particularly important in partner choice, as they can signal genetic compatibility. Some research suggests that women tend to prefer the scent of men whose immune system genes differ from their own, a preference that may be disrupted by hormonal contraception (Wedekind et al., 1995). If birth control alters olfactory perception, it could lead women to select partners they might not have found as attractive under natural hormonal conditions. While most research on birth control and attraction focuses on women, there is also evidence that men’s perceptions of their partners may be influenced by contraceptive use. Some studies suggest that men rate their partners as less attractive while the women are using hormonal birth control (Cobey et al., 2013). Additionally, men may even perceive themselves as less attractive when their partner is using birth control, possibly due to subtle changes in relationship dynamics and intimacy. The reasons for these changes are not entirely clear, but they may be linked to shifts in female behavior or subtle hormonal cues that affect mutual attraction. For example, hormonal fluctuations can influence female body odor, voice pitch, and flirtatious behaviors—all factors that can affect how attractive a partner appears (Feinberg et al., 2006).
Hormonal birth control is a powerful tool for reproductive management, but its influence extends into the psychological and relational domains. By altering mate preferences, sexual desire, sensory perception, and even partner perceptions, these contraceptives can shape relationship dynamics in significant ways. While birth control remains an essential option for many, understanding its broader effects can help individuals make more informed decisions about their contraceptive choices. Couples should consider discussing these potential influences and remain open to adjusting their relationship dynamics as needed. Further research is necessary to fully understand the complex ways hormonal birth control interacts with attraction and satisfaction, but current evidence suggests that its effects go beyond simple contraception.
About the Author
Mikayla Flanz (‘25) is a senior at Boston University concentrating in health science and human physiology.
References
- Alvergne, A., & Lummaa, V. (2010). Does the contraceptive pill alter mate choice in humans? Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 25(3), 171-179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2009.08.003
- Cobey, K. D., Little, A. C., Roberts, S. C., & Buunk, A. P. (2013). Hormonal contraceptive use modulates the attractiveness of a woman’s scent. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 38(11), 2365-2372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.05.007
- Doty, R. L., Snyder, P. J., Huggins, G. R., & Lowry, L. D. (1981). Endocrine, cardiovascular, and psychological correlated of olfactory sensitivity changes during the human menstrual cycle. The Journal of Chemical Ecology, 7(1), 17-31. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00988609
- Feinberg, D. R., Jones, B. C., Little, A. C., Burt, D. M., & Perrett, D. I. (2006). Manipulations of fundamental and formant frequencies influence the attractiveness of human male voices. Animal Behaviour, 71(3), 61-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2005.03.033
- Roberts, S. C., Gosling, L. M., Carter, V., & Petrie, M. (2008). MHC-correlated odour preferences in humans and the use of oral contraceptives. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 275(1652), 2715-2722. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2008.0825
- Sanders, S. A., Graham, C. A., Bass, J. L., & Bancroft, J. (2001). A prospective study of the effects of oral contraceptives on sexuality and well-being. Contraception, 64(1), 51-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-7824(01)00218-9
- Wedekind, C., Seebeck, T., Bettens, F., & Paepke, A. J. (1995). MHC-dependent mate preferences in humans. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 260(1359), 245-249. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.1995.0087