According
to new research it could make you more apathetic about your mate.
By Sally Wadyka Fri 7:59 PM
When birth control pills first hit the
market in the 1960’s, they were credited with helping launch the sexual
revolution. Suddenly, women were able to take charge of preventing pregnancy,
which gave them the freedom to have unfettered sex with whomever they chose.
And while the Pill is still many women’s favorite form of birth control, now comes the news that being on oral contraceptives could affect your choice of mate -- as well as your ongoing feelings about him if the relationship continues long term.
And while the Pill is still many women’s favorite form of birth control, now comes the news that being on oral contraceptives could affect your choice of mate -- as well as your ongoing feelings about him if the relationship continues long term.
According to a study conducted at the University of
Groningen in the Netherlands, researchers had 28 women ages 20 to 31 fill out
questionnaires measuring what the study called the “scale of intrasexual
competition.” Study participants completed the survey at three different times:
Once while taking hormonal contraceptives, once while not taking them during a
fertile time in their cycles, and once while not taking them but during a
non-fertile time in their cycles.
The surveys were designed to measure how competitive the women felt with other women -- and whether they saw them as friends or foes. What they found is that the women who were in relationships and on the Pill scored the lowest on the scale of intrasexual competition, compared to those not on the Pill (during the fertile or non-fertile times in their cycles). That means they were least likely to feel competitive toward other women or fight for their man if it came to that.
The surveys were designed to measure how competitive the women felt with other women -- and whether they saw them as friends or foes. What they found is that the women who were in relationships and on the Pill scored the lowest on the scale of intrasexual competition, compared to those not on the Pill (during the fertile or non-fertile times in their cycles). That means they were least likely to feel competitive toward other women or fight for their man if it came to that.
One possible explanation: The
Pill works by tweaking your hormones, including testosterone. Being on the Pill
suppresses your natural production of testosterone, the hormone responsible for
rivalry and aggressive behavior.
And while being a pacifist may a
good thing in some situations, the lead researcher on this study fears it could
mean trouble for women who become romantically apathetic thanks to their choice
of contraceptive.
“Women who use hormonal
contraceptives may settle and start families with partners who they otherwise
would not,” said Kelly Cobey, the lead author of the study.
But before you race to the
bathroom to flush your pills down the toilet, remember that this study involved
only 28 women -- a very small number when it comes to this type of research. So
stay tuned for more news on the topic (and maybe pick up a pack of condoms to
have on hand just in case).
SOURCE: http://healthyliving.msn.com
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