Oestrogen Expert: Birth Control Changes Who You Are...Would You Still Love Them If You Came Off It?! Oestrogen Makes You More Attractive!

Nov 25, 2024 1h 55m 11 insights
Dr. Sarah Hill, a research psychologist, discusses the profound and often overlooked effects of the contraceptive pill on women's emotional states, sexual desire, attraction, and physical health. She highlights the pill's societal impact and explores evolutionary psychology, offering insights for both men and women on relationships and personal well-being.
Actionable Insights

1. Evaluate Pill’s Attraction Shift

If a woman is partnered and on hormonal birth control, be aware that discontinuing it may significantly alter her attraction to her partner, potentially increasing it for attractive partners or decreasing it for less attractive ones.

2. Prioritize Non-Hormonal Contraception

Consider non-hormonal birth control methods, such as the copper IUD, to prevent pregnancy without introducing synthetic hormones that can impact brain development, mood, and attraction, especially for teenagers.

3. Understand Pill’s Mental Health Risks

Recognize that hormonal birth control can increase the risk of anxiety and depression, and may blunt the body’s natural cortisol response to stress, affecting emotional regulation.

4. Pill’s Impact on Libido & Muscle

Be aware that hormonal birth control can suppress natural estrogen surges and free testosterone, potentially leading to decreased libido, impaired sexual function, and reduced ability to build muscle mass.

5. Men: Emphasize Commitment & Investment

To enhance attractiveness as a long-term partner, men should highlight their willingness to commit, invest resources, and express interest in having children, as these qualities are highly valued by women.

6. Men: Build Muscle for Confidence

Engage in strength training to build muscle mass, which can naturally increase testosterone levels and foster confidence, thereby reducing anxiety and improving overall well-being.

7. Women: Cycle-Dependent Partner Preferences

Understand that women’s preferences for masculine traits and genetic quality in partners can fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, peaking when estrogen levels are high around ovulation.

8. Men: Embrace Caregiving Roles

Recognize that men’s testosterone levels naturally decrease in long-term relationships and with active childcare, which is an adaptive shift that channels effort towards investing in family.

9. Women: Leverage Gay Male Friendships

Utilize friendships with gay men for objective advice on appearance and mating dynamics, as these relationships are free from intersexual competition and sexual agendas.

10. Adults: Libido Recovery Post-Pill

If experiencing reduced sexual desire as an adult on hormonal birth control, be aware that discontinuing the pill can lead to the recovery of natural libido and sexual attraction.

11. Men: Strive for Resources & Status

Focus on education and career advancement to gain resources and status, as these factors significantly enhance a man’s success in the mating market.