Abstract
Although the primary indication for oral and nonoral contraception is the prevention of pregnancy resulting from sexual activity, there is little information concerning the impact of contraception on sex and sexuality. This article presents an overview of the available literature concerning the effect of hormonal contraception on sexual health and well-being and evaluates reasons for the dearth of robust scientific information concerning a topic that is integral to the study of contraception and women’s health in general.
Similar content being viewed by others
References and Recommended Reading
Frost JJ, Singh S, Finer LB: Factors associated with contraceptive use and nonuse, United States, 2004. Perspect Sex Reprod Health 2007, 39:90–99.
Schaffir J: Hormonal contraception and sexual desire: a critical review. J Sex Marital Therapy 2006, 32:305–314.
Bachmann G, Bancroft J, Braunstein G, et al.: Female androgen insufficiency: the Princeton consensus statement on definition, classification and assessment. Fertil Steril 2002, 77:660–665.
Berman JR: Physiology of female sexual function and dysfunction. Int J Impotence Res 2005, 17:S44–S51.
Kingsberg S: Testosterone treatment for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women. J Sex Med 2007, 4(Suppl3):227–234.
Alexander GM, Sherwin BB, Bancroft J, Davidson DW: Testosterone and sexual behavior in oral contraceptive users and nonusers: a prospective study. Horm Beha 1990, 24:388–402.
Bancroft J, Sherwin BB, Alexander GM, et al.: Oral contraceptives, androgens and the sexuality of young women: II. The role of androgens. Arch Sex Behav 1991, 20:121–135.
McCoy NL, Matyas JR: Oral contraception and sexuality in university women. Arch Sex Behav 1996, 25:73–90.
Greco T, Graham CA, Bancroft J, et al.: The effects of oral contraceptives on androgen levels and their relevance to premenstrual mood and sexual interest: a comparison of two triphasic formulations containing norgestimate and either 35 or 25 mcg of ethinyl estradiol. Contraception 2007, 76:8–17.
Martin-Loeches M, Orti RM, Monfort M, et al.: A comparative analysis of the modification of sexual desire of users of oral hormonal contraceptives and intrauterine contraceptive devices. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care 2003, 8:129–134.
Granger LR, Roy S, Mishell DR Jr: Changes in unbound sex steroids and sex hormone binding globulin-binding capacity during oral and vaginal progestogen administration. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1982, 144:578–584.
Dennerstein L, Lehert P, Burger H: The relative effects of hormones and relationship factors on sexual function of women through the natural menopausal transition. Fertil Steril 2005, 84:174–180.
Davison SL, Bell RJ, Lachina M, et al.: Sexual function in well women: stratification by sexual satisfaction, hormone use and menopause status. J Sex Med 2008, Mar 4 (Epub ahead of print).
Graham CA, Bancroft J, Doll HA, et al.: Does oral contraceptive-induced reduction in free testosterone adversely affect the sexuality or mood of women? Psychoneuroendocrinology 2007, 32:246–255.
Paul C, Skegg DC, Williams S: Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate. Patterns of use and reasons for discontinuation. Contraception 1997, 56::209–214.
Li RHW, Lo SST, Teh DKG, et al.: Impact of common contraceptive methods on quality of life and sexual function in Hong Kong Chinese women. Contraception 2004, 70:474–482.
Barnhart KT, Furman I, Pommer R, et al.: Changes in the menstrual bleeding of users of a subdermal contraceptive implant of nomegestrol acetate (Uniplant) do not influence sexual frequency, sexual desire, or sexual enjoyment. Fertil Steril 1997, 67:244–249.
Graham CA, Ramos R, Bancroft J, et al.: The effects of steroidal contraceptives on the well-being and sexuality of women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-centre study of combined and progestogen-only methods. Contraception 1995, 52:363–369.
Aedo AR, Landgren BM, Diczfalusy E: Studies on ovarian and adrenal steroids at different phases of the menstrual cycle. III. Steroid and lutropin levels before and after the administration of a single contraceptive dose of depotmedroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). Contraception 1981, 24:117–135.
Graham CA, Sherwin BB: The relationship between mood and sexuality in women using an oral contraceptive as a treatment for premenstrual symptoms. Psychoneuroendocrinology 1993, 18:273–281.
Sanders SA, Graham CA, Bass JL, Bancroft J: A prospective study of the effects of oral contraceptives on sexuality and well-being and their relationship to discontinuation. Contraception 2001, 64:51–58.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shulman, L.P. Contraception and sexual health. Curr sex health rep 5, 149–153 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-008-0026-5
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-008-0026-5