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Washington: Despite
its known benefits and convenience, newer forms of hormonal
contraception could hamper arousal, orgasms and frequency of sex
in women, driving joy out of act for them.
"Contraception in general is a wonderful way for women to plan
their families," said Nicole Smith, study co-author and project
coordinator at Indiana University's Centre for Sexual Health
Promotion (CSHP).
"It's something women are often on for as many as 30 years or
more; it plays a huge part in their life. If they're experiencing
these negative effects, they might stop using contraception
correctly or altogether," said Smith, according to an Indiana
release.
"Women should also be counselled on the many highly effective
forms of birth control currently available; switching to another
method might work better for them," she said.
The study involved 1,101 sexually active women split almost evenly
between those using a hormonal form of contraception such as the
pill, patch, ring or shot, and those women using a non-hormonal
form, such as a condom, diaphragm, cervical cap or withdrawal.
The study, based on data collected by the Kinsey Institute's
Women's Wellbeing study, found that women from both the groups
reported similar levels of sexual satisfaction which included
things such as intimacy and romance.
But women using hormonal contraception experienced less arousal,
fewer orgasms, difficulties with lubrication, decreased pleasure
and less frequent sex.
"A great effort has been made to make condoms more pleasurable for
men," Smith said. "But you don't hear about this same effort going
toward reducing the negative impact of contraception on women's
sexual functioning. It's just not part of the discussion."
Researchers have examined the relationship between hormonal forms
of contraception and sexual functioning but, Smith said, few
studies have been conducted since the 1980s.
Smith's study, conducted with colleagues from CSHP and the Kinsey
Institute, provides updated findings and also important
information for clinicians to use when helping women with their
birth control needs.
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