Oral Contraceptives, Well-being, and Sexuality in Women

This on-going study is the first to examine prospectively the possible relationship of sexual "side-effects" of today's combined oral contraceptives and the relationship of such "side-effects" to a woman's choice to continue or discontinue pill usage. Some studies suggest that the hormonal effects of the pill may lessen sexual interest (Graham et al., 1995; Graham & Sherwin, 1992, 1993).  On the other hand, using a highly effective method of contraception may have a psychological effect of freeing sexual expression in some women even if they experience negative side-effects from the pill. Findings from the first 80 women recruited to the study will be presented comparing pre-oral contraceptive (baseline) data with that covering the first 3 months of pill use.