Abstract
The relationship between use of oral contraceptives and sexuality in university women who completed the McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire was examined. Pill users reported sexual intercourse earlier, were less likely to be virgins, more likely to have a sex partner, more apt to be engaging in petting and intercourse than nonusers, and reported more frequent intercourse than sexually active nonusers. Nonusers reported a greater frequency and enjoyment of anal intercourse than pill users. The prediction that pill users would have less vaginal lubrication than nonusers was supported. Contrary to prediction, pill users reported a higher frequency of sexual thoughts and fantasies, and level of sexual interest than active nonusers. Triphasic Orthonovum 7/7/7 (OR7/7/7) users reported more sexual thoughts and fantasies and had higher Sexual Interest (Factor 1) scores than monophasic Orthonovum 1/35 (OR1/35) users. Triphasic users as a group enjoyed sexual activity more, were more aroused during sexual activity, and had higher Sexual Interest factor scores than monophasic users. Triphasic users reported more sexual thoughts and fantasies, sexual interest and had higher Sexual Interest factor scores than nonusers, while monophasic users did not. Monophasic users reported less vaginal lubrication than nonusers, whereas triphasic users did not. Comparisons of OR7/7/7 and OR1/35 users with nonusers revealed the same findings. Results suggest that women using triphasic pills experience greater sexual interest and response than those using monophasics. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alexander, G. M., Sherwin, B. B., Bancroft, J., and Davidson, D. W. (1990). Testosterone and sexual behavior in oral contraceptive users and nonusers: A prospective study.Horm. Behav. 24: 388–402.
Bancroft, J., Sherwin, B. B., Alexander, G. M., Davidson, D. W., and Walker, A. (1991a). Oral contraceptives androgens, and the sexuality of young women: I. A comparison of sexual experience, sexual attitudes, and gender role in oral contraceptive users and nonusers.Arch. Sex. Behav. 20: 105–120.
Bancroft, J., Sherwin, B. B., Alexander, G. M., Davidson, D. W., and Walker, D. (1991b). Oral contraceptives, androgens, and the sexuality of young women: II. The role of androgens.Arch. Sex. Behav. 20: 121–135.
Carr, B. R., Parker, C. R. Jr., Madden, J. D., MacDonald, P. C., and Porter, J. C. (1979). Plasma levels of adrenocorticotropin and cortisol in women receiving oral contraceptive steroid treatment.J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 49: 346–349.
Fern, M., Rose, D. P., and Fern, E. B. (1978). Effect of oral contraceptives on plasma androgenic steroids and their precursors.Obstet. Gynecol. 51: 541–544.
Gillmer, M. D. G., Fox, E. J., and Jacobs, H. S. (1978). Failure of withdrawal bleeding during combined oral contraceptive therapy: ‘Amenorrhoea on the pill’.Contraception 18: 507–515.
Granger, L. R., Subir, R., and Mishell, D. R. (1982). Changes in unbound sex steroids and sex hormone binding globulin-Binding capacity during oral and vaginal progestogen administration.Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 144: 578–584.
Hemrika, D. J., Slaats, E. H., Kennedy, J. C., de Vries Robles-Korsen, T. J. M., and Schoemaker, J. (1993). Pulsatile luteinizing hormone patterns in long term oral contraceptive users.J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 77: 420–426.
Jung-Hoffmann, C., and Kuhl, H. (1987). Divergent effects of two low-dose oral contraceptives on sex hormone-binding globulin and free testosterone.Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 156: 199–203.
Klove, K. L., Roy, S., and Lobo, R. A. (1984). The effect of different contraceptive treatments on the serum concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate.Contraception 29: 319–324.
McCoy, N. L. (1991). Menopause and sexuality. In Sitruk-Ware, R., and Utian, W. (eds.),The Menopause and Hormonal Replacement Therapy: Facts and Controversies (Clinical Gynecology Series), Marcel Dekker, New York, pp. 73–100.
McCoy, N. L., and Davidson, J. M. (1985). A longitudinal study of the effects of menopause on sexuality.Maturitas 7: 203–210.
McCoy, N. L., Cutler, W., and Davidson, J. M. (1985). Relationships among sexual behavior, hot flashes, and hormone levels in perimenopausal women.Arch. Sex. Behav. 14: 385–394.
Morris, N. M., Udry, J. R., Khan-Dawood, F., and Dawood, M. Y. (1987). Marital sex frequency and midcycle female testosterone.Arch. Sex. Behav. 16: 27–37.
Murphy, A. A., Cropp, C. S., Smith, B. S., Burkman, R. T., and Zacur, H. A. (1990). Effect of low-dose oral contraceptive on gonadotropins, androgens, and sex hormone binding globulin in nonhirsute women.Fertil. Steril. 53; 35–39.
Persky, H., Lief, H. I., Strauss, D., Miller, W. R., and O'Brien, C. P. (1978). Plasma testosterone level and sexual behavior of couples.Arch. Sex. Behav. 7: 157–173.
Sherwin, B. B. (1988). A comparative analysis of the role of androgen in human male and female sexual behavior: Behavioral specificity, critical thresholds, and sensitivity.Psychobiology 16: 416–425.
Semmens, J. P., and Wagner, G. (1982). Estrogen deprivation and vaginal function in postmenopausal women.J. Am. Med. Assoc. 248: 445–448.
Semmens, J. P., Tsai, C. C., Semmens, E. C., and Loadholt, C. B. (1985). Effects of estrogen therapy on vaginal physiology during menopause.Obstet. Gynecol. 66: 15–18.
van der Vange, N., Blankenstein, M. A., Kloosterboer, H. J., Haspels, A. A., and Thijssen, J. H. (1990). Effects of seven low-dose combined oral contraceptives on sex hormone binding globulin, corticosteroid binding globulin, total and free testosterone.Contraception 41: 345–352.
Walker, A., and Bancroft, J. (1990). Relationship between premenstrual symptoms and oral contraceptive use: A controlled study.Psychosom. Med. 52: 86–96.
Warner, P., and Bancroft, J. (1988). Mood, sexuality, oral contraceptives, and the menstrual cycle.J. Psychosom. Res. 32: 417–427.
Young, R. L., Snabes, M. C., Frank, M. L., and Reilly, M. (1992). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison of the impact of low-dose and triphasic oral contraceptives on follicular development.Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 167: 678–682.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Preparation of this paper was supported, in part, by the Pacific Center for Sex and Society (PCSS), John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Milton Diamond, Director.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McCoy, N.L., Matyas, J.R. Oral contraceptives and sexuality in university women. Arch Sex Behav 25, 73–90 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02437907
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02437907