There are many factors that can diminish attraction, whether it’s incompatible preferences in the bedroom or red flags that have been overlooked for too long.
However, many women have noticed a particular change that has altered their perception of their partners.
Numerous individuals have taken to social media to recount their experiences and find comfort with others who have gone through similar situations.
The lifestyle change in question is women discontinuing their use of hormonal contraception, which can significantly impact both body and mind.
One woman seeking advice on the matter had stopped taking the birth control pill after 12 years to try and conceive.
In a Reddit post, she mentioned experiencing ‘severe acne’ and a ‘high libido’ as her body adjusted to the change.
She also began to feel differently towards her husband shortly after.
“We’ve been together for [around] 15 years, basically the same amount of time that I’ve been on the pill,” she wrote.
“After a recent fight, I just started realizing all these things that should have been red flags all along, but I completely ignored… because I felt a compulsion to stay with him.
“Now I’m feeling completely opposite… Me no longer being on the pill is obviously not the only factor but a major recent change.”
Many women shared their own experiences, with one stating: “With an ex it totally happened. I went off birth control and suddenly found him not only unattractive but kinda repulsive. Went back on it and was attracted again.”
Another added: “I was on the pill when I met my first husband. When I came off the pill, he no longer smelled good to me.”
Scientific research supports the idea that discontinuing birth control can affect women’s attraction to their long-term partners.
A study conducted in 2012 revealed ‘those who met their partner while on the pill were less sexually satisfied and had lower levels of partner attraction than those who met while regularly cycling.’
Another finding indicated that the preference for ‘masculine traits’ diminishes when using hormonal contraception, which could explain the decreased attraction to their partners.
These findings suggest that the use of contraception can influence ‘subsequent relationship satisfaction.’
Nonetheless, Dr. Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy told Cosmopolitan that attraction, particularly sexual attraction, depends on ‘so many things,’ with contraception being ‘just one tiny part.’
“I would suggest if you’re having difficulties with your sex life, you need to find a way to talk openly and honestly to each other about it,” Dr. Lee advised. “Work on the physical relationship, and enjoy spending time doing fun things together.”