Young Saudis taking oral contraceptives for 'better looks'

Young men in Saudi Arabia are increasingly taking oral contraceptives in the belief that the pill will make them look better and treat acne and other problems, according to a Saudi newspaper.

The phenomenon has also become widespread among men involved in body-building exercises so they will get bigger chest and arm muscles and win tournaments, the London-based Arabic language daily ‘Al Hayat’ reported.

The paper quoted some men as saying the pills have achieved results in improving male hormones and some parts of the body.

“Some of them said the pills have proven their efficiency in improving their looks and voice.

“Others said they were taking the pills to soften their harsh voices while those involved in body-building exercises said they were taking such pills to make their chests and arms muscles bigger so they will win tournaments in this field,” it said.

“Many of them said they are taking the pill daily as they believe it will help them treat acne and excessive hair growth on their body.”

The paper quoted an unnamed man as saying he stopped taking such pills nearly a year ago on doctor’s advice after a friend who was addicted to contraceptive pills developed cancer.

“I stopped it although it proved to be efficient in treating acne, improving the voice and the skin, and modifying the looks in a short period of time.”

According to the report, such pills are available at all pharmacies at affordable prices and many young men who tried them reported quick positive results.

“There are two kinds of such pills which are in strong demand by the youth,” the paper said, quoting a pharmacist in Saudi Arabia.

“One is used in preventing pregnancy, but this is dangerous in case it is misused. The other pill is used by women before marriage and this is in bigger demand by the young men.

“We sell these pills without the need for a doctor's prescription and they are not very expensive as they are sold for around SR195 (Dh195) per box.”

The paper quoted a doctor as warning addicts against such pills, saying they could affect their fertility, hair growth and bones.

“Those who continuously take such pills are vulnerable to fertility weakness and possibly, infertility, depending on the amount they take,” said Dr Faisal Kashgari, an obstetrics consultant at a local hospital.

“These pills are also known to have a reverse impact on hormones. This means those who take the pills regularly could have their female hormones outnumber their male hormones.

“I believe pharmacies are making a mistake by selling this medicine to customers without a doctor’s prescription.”

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