Woman say they’re suddenly less attracted to their partners after making one major lifestyle change.
Sure, not even the healthiest of relationships are perfect, but there’s no denying attraction – both physical and mental – is a pretty important factor.
It might not take much to put us off our partners – be it misaligned bedroom kinks or their glaringly obvious red flags we tried for the longest time to ignore.
But women have found one particular alteration has made them see their man in a completely different light.
Many have rushed to social media to share their stories and to find solace in others with similar experiences.
What is making men less attractive to women?
The change in question is women stopping their hormonal contraception – which can wreak havoc on your body and mind.
Among those seeking advice was a woman who had quit the birth control pill after 12 years in hopes of conceiving.
In a Reddit post, she said she experienced ‘severe acne’ and a ‘high libido’ as her body adjusted.
But she soon noticed she’d began ‘feeling differently’ towards her husband.
“We’ve been together for [around] 15 years, basically the same amount of time that I’ve been on the pill,” she began.
“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.”
Droves of women shared their own stories, as one said: “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 chipped in: “I was on the pill when I met my first husband. When I came off the pill, he no longer smelled good to me.”
What the science says
Some scientific studies suggest coming off birth control does impact women’s attraction to their long-term partners.
One 2012 study found ‘those who met their partner on the pill were less sexually satisfied and had lower levels of partner attraction than those who met while regularly cycling.’
Another suggested that ‘masculine traits’ are preferred at ‘reduced levels when using hormonal contraception,’ hence why women are less into their significant others.
This all points to contraception use having implications for ‘subsequent relationship satisfaction.’
However, Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy told Cosmopolitan that attraction – particularly of a sexual nature – relies on ‘so many things’ with your 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.”
