A prospective study of the effects of oral contraceptives on sexuality and well-being and their relationship to discontinuation.
The purpose of the study was to explore predictors of discontinuation of oral contraceptives (OC) including pre-OC use characteristics and adverse physical, emotional, and sexual effects of OCs. Women aged 18+ years in committed, sexually active relationships were assessed before starting OC and reassessed at 3, 6, and 12 months or shortly after discontinuation. Assessment included pre-OC use attitudes and expectations about the pill; self-reported side effects and perimenstrual symptoms including premenstrual syndrome (PMS); physical and emotional well-being; and sexual interest, enjoyment, and frequency of sexual activity. Seventy-nine women completed the study, 38% continued OCs, 47% discontinued, and 14% switched to another OC. Emotional side effects, worsening of PMS, decreased frequency of sexual thoughts, and decreased psychosexual arousability correctly categorized 87% of cases by using logistic regression. Emotional and sexual side effects were the best predictors of discontinuation/switching, yet such OC effects have been largely ignored in the research literature.
Sanders
S A
SA
The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender & Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA. sanders@indiana.edu
Graham
C A
CA
Bass
J L
JL
Bancroft
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001290:Attitude; D003267:Contraception; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019529:Sexuality / Q000187:drug effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D009644:Norgestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; C017576:norgestimate