Influence of various methods of contraception on female sexual functions

Abstract

Objective The aim was to evaluate female sexual functions in women using different methods of contraception. Background Contraception is a common practice among women during their childbearing periods. Contraception may affect female sexual function both positively and negatively. Patients and methods A cross-sectional study was done on 200 married women in the childbearing period, who were recruited from different health care centers at Menoufia Governorate, Egypt, between October 2019 and January 2020. Results In the present study, 56.5% (more than half) of the participating women who used contraception were at high risk for sexual dysfunction. Women using nonhormonal contraceptives reported the highest mean scores (26.99 ± 4.13), with statistically significant difference between them and those using combined hormonal contraceptives and progesterone-only hormonal contraceptives, who reported lower mean scores (24.34 ± 4.94 and 24.13 ± 4.27, respectively). Nonhormonal contraceptive users reported the highest scores of female sexual function index regarding total, desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain scores. Conclusion Female sexual dysfunction is commonly seen in women using contraception and the nonhormonal methods have the least effect on female sexual function.