Effects of contraceptive methods on women’s sexual health
E. Aslan, S. Yilmaz, F. Tufek, B. Dikencik, E. Soydemir, N. Kizilkaya Beji
Istanbul
University Florence Nightingale School of Nursing, Istanbul, Turkey, Istanbul
University Florence Nightingale School of Nursing, student, Istanbul, Turkey,
and Acibadem Kozyatagi Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Objective This cross sectional
study was planned descriptively to determine the effects of contraceptive
methods on women’s sexual health.
Design and methods The convenient sample of
the study was consisted of 138 women who applied to Okmeydani Maternal and Child
Health Center for family planning services between January and February 2006 in
Istanbul. Approval of the institute was obtained prior to the study. Data were
obtained through interviews with women with a questionnaire developed by the
researchers according to literature and with Rosen’s Female Sexual Function
Index (FSFI).
Results Internal consistency of the index was found 0,97 in
cronbach’s a analysis. The average age of participant women was 32,36 ± 8,34 and
the average age of their partners was 36,39 ± 8,74 years. 59,4% of women were
housewife and they were married for 11,95 ± 8,68 years on the average. First
sexual experiences of women were mostly (86,2%) in marriage and the average age
at first sexual experience was 20,18 ± 2,92 years. The average number of birth
was 1,68 ± 1,90. 5,8% of women stated that their partners had sexual problems.
The most prevalent contraceptive methods among women were condom (23,2%), IUD
(35,5%), hormonal contraceptives (5,8%) and coitus interruptus (27,5%). 32,6% of
women were very satisfied with the contraceptive method they used. 4,3 % of
women stated that they had sexual intercourse easier but 18,8% had anxiety for
unwanted pregnancy and 63% had side effects related to contraceptive method. The
most common side effects were back/groin pain, increase in the duration and
amount of menstrual bleeding, breast tightness, headache and mood changes. 84,8%
of women didn’t have knowledge about effects of contraceptive methods on women’s
sexual health. The average of total score from FSFI was 29,53 ± 6,17 over 36
points maximum. 19,6% of women had scores lower than the cut off point 26. The
average index scores according to contraceptive methods were; 31,43 ± 5,15 in
condom, 29,70 ± 4,84 in IUD, 27,45 ± 12,46 in hormonal contraceptives and
28,10 ± 6,83 in coitus interruptus. The difference in FSFI scores between modern
methods (31,70) and traditional methods (27,80) were statistically significant
(p=0.000).
Conclusions Women who use traditional methods had more negative
effects than women who use modern methods. Sexual health of women who apply for
family planning services should be assessed and women should be informed about
the effects of contraceptive methods on women’s sexual function.
Reference
Everett S.: Contraception. In G. Andrews, Women’s Sexual
Health. London: Harcourt Brace and
Company Ltd., 1997: 173-217.