Oral contraceptives and sexuality in university women

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. Preparation of this paper was supported, in part, by the Pacific Center for Sex and Society (PCSS), John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Milton Diamond, Director.