Each and every day, we are inundated by advertisements for diet pills and miracle drugs. The regulation of these products allows the marketing of over-the-counter pills without a rigorous process. Side effects of any medication can sometimes take years to be seen in enough people to alert consumers of possible risks. Unforeseen sexual side effects such as vaginal dryness, irritation and impotence may be related to diet pills.
The Physiology of the Vagina
The vagina is a hollow tube in the female reproductive tract that typically measures 7 cm. Lubrication and pH balance are maintained by the actions of the inferior hypogastric plexus, which is part of the autonomic nervous system, and the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The autonomic nervous system operates at a subconscious level and is "automatically" controlled by the brain. Estrogen and progesterone regulate the menstrual cycle and lubrication.
Ingredients in Prescription Diet Pills
The appetite suppressant category of diet pills involve "amphetamine-like" medications that stimulate the nervous system and mimic the effects of feeling full. Generally, they work by exciting the nervous system and constricting blood vessels. These stimulants have been shown to cause palpitations, high blood pressure, dizziness, headache and impotence.
Ingredients in Many Over-the-Counter Diet Pills
Over-the-counter diet pills are not strictly regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, and can be sold with "limited proof of effectiveness." Many common ingredients are found in these diet pills, each with its own side effects, but many act directly on the nervous system. Ephedra became very popular to decrease appetite but was subsequently found to cause heart problems and was banned by the FDA in 2004. Bitter orange became a frequent product used in "ephedra-free" diet pills and is often combined with caffeine. Bitter orange can speed up the heart rate; increase blood pressure; and cause migraines, fainting and possibly stroke. Caffeine can cause elevations in heart rate and blood vessels to constrict.
Vaginal Dryness and Irritation
Women who no longer ovulate often have atrophic vaginitis. This condition is caused by a lack of hormones and a withering away of vaginal tissue and glands, leading to vaginal dryness and irritation. Disruptions in blood flow to the pelvis can cause pelvic pain, vaginal dryness and irritation. Although there is no research into how diet pills affect vaginal lubrication, some diet pills list impotence in men as a side effect. A discussion with a physician to review hormonal causes and any medications or supplements that may affect the nervous system or blood flow is advised as those have been shown to cause both vaginal dryness and irritation.
References
- "Williams Gynecology"; JO Schorge et al.; 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Over-the-Counter Weight-Loss Pills: Do They Work?
- "The American Surgeon"; Pelvic Congestion Syndrome: A New Approach to an Unusual Problem; BV Mathis et al.; 1995
- "Adult Toxicology in Critical Care: Part II: Specific Poisonings"; B. Mokhlesi et al.;2003
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