Zim GBC News | Gender and Community
A significant number of women who stop using contraception while still needing protection from pregnancy do so because of negative effects on their sex lives, a major new global study has found.
The research, titled The Sex Effect: The prevalence of sex life reasons for contraceptive discontinuation, revealed that at least five percent—or 1 in 20—of women discontinuing contraception cited reasons such as reduced libido, discomfort during sex, or concerns about their partner’s sexual experience.
Published on September 26 to coincide with World Contraception Day, the study was commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN’s Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP), and The Pleasure Project.
The analysis, which reviewed 64 studies involving over 125,000 participants between 2004 and 2023, identified a critical gap in reproductive healthcare.
“The findings highlight that sexual concerns are common reasons for contraceptive discontinuation. These reasons are as common as cost or lack of access, yet they are much less studied,” the researchers noted.
They found that earlier investigations often failed to directly ask users about sexual side effects, leaving a significant blind spot in understanding what drives contraceptive discontinuation.
The study’s authors issued a clear recommendation for both future research and clinical practice, urging that discussions about sexual well-being become a standard part of contraceptive care.
“This would help to empower patients and enable them to make more informed choices,” they stated, adding,
“Ultimately, this work underscores that sexual well-being is not a secondary concern. It is central to successful contraceptive use.”
Incorporating these conversations is expected to improve user satisfaction, reduce discontinuation rates, and enhance overall reproductive health outcomes for women worldwide.
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