Oral contraceptives and sexuality in university women

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.

A multivariate analysis of the factors that influence the modification of sexual desire in oral hormonal contraceptive (OC) users

“…McCoy et al [31] publish that monophasic preparations give rise to a reduction in vaginal lubrication when compared with the results of triphasic treatments, thus producing an increase in sexual desire in triphasic OC users, our study, however, does not coincide with these results.…”

Evaluation of the Female Sexual Function Index in a Population Based Sample from Finland

“…In a study conducted by Rosen et al (2000), significantly more healthy controls used some form of contraceptives compared to the participants with female sexual arousal disorder. Further, McCoy and Matyas (1996) found, for example, that pill users experienced first intercourse at an earlier age, were more likely to have a partner, and had intercourse more frequently than sexually active nonusers. However, if there would be a directional pathway from IUS use to fewer problems with sexual function, especially pain problems, which had the strongest association with IUS, it would be a clue in the treatment puzzle.…”

“…In a prospective observational study with 365 women, combined oral contraceptives and intrauterine contraceptive device did not have an impact on sexual function while sterilization improved both sexual satisfaction and sexual drive (Li et al, 2004). In contrast McCoy and Matyas (1996) found pill users to have more desire but also less lubrication than nonusers; however, the associations differed depending on the type of pill. In addition to different effects depending on the type of OCP, cultural differences have been reported (Graham, Ramos, Bancroft, Maglaya, & Farley, 1995).…”

Validation of the McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire in an Italian Sample

“…The primary purpose of this study was to validate the McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire (MFSQ; McCoy & Matyas, 1996) for an Italian sample. The MFSQ was selected because of its extensive use among women from different cultures (French: Limouzin-Lamothe, Mairon, Joyce, & Le Gal, 1994;Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish: Nathorst-Böös & Hammar, 1997), and because of its wide use for the assessment of sexual functioning associated with hormonal fluctuation due to treatments (e.g., oral contraceptive or hormone replacement therapy) or natural biological rhythms (e.g., menopause).…”