The Effect of Family Planning Methods Used by Women of Reproductive Age on Their Sexual Life


Gabalci E., Terzioglu F.

SEXUALITY AND DISABILITY, vol.28, no.4, pp.275-285, 2010 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 28 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2010
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s11195-010-9161-9
  • Journal Name: SEXUALITY AND DISABILITY
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.275-285
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The family planning (FP) methods used by women of reproductive age can
have negative or positive influences on the sex lives of couples. Couples should be aware
of the effects of the FP method they use on their sex lives to be able to improve the quality.
This descriptive study was carried out to determine the effects of contraceptive methods on
the sex lives of women. The study was conducted at the Family Planning Center and
Gynecology Clinics of an Obstetrics and Gynecology and Children’s Hospital. The sam-
pling comprised of 366 women who had applied to these centers. Data collection forms
generated based on the literature and the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) were
used as data collection tools. The average ASEX scores were similar for women using the
withdrawal method as a traditional method (:13.75), RIA as a modern method (:13.93),
condoms (:13.30), and oral contraceptives (:13.37), were found to be similar (
p
[
0.05).
Since the average scores of ASEX were higher than 11, problems in sexual life were
determined at high levels. The difference between ASEX average scores and duration of
family planning, problems due to the method, duration of marriage, number of pregnancies
and living infants, frequency of sexual intercourse, communication between partners, and
self-declared sexual perception; was statistically significant (
p
\
0.05). The study found
higher than normal average ASEX scores and we therefore suggest counseling services,
provided by healthcare staff, on sexual health and family planning that include information
on FP methods and their effects on sex life.
Keywords
Family planning

Sexuality

Effect of family
planning methods on the sex life

Turkey
The family planning (FP) methods used by women of reproductive age can have negative or positive influences on the sex lives of couples. Couples should be aware of the effects of the FP method they use on their sex lives to be able to improve the quality. This descriptive study was carried out to determine the effects of contraceptive methods on the sex lives of women. The study was conducted at the Family Planning Center and Gynecology Clinics of an Obstetrics and Gynecology and Children's Hospital. The sampling comprised of 366 women who had applied to these centers. Data collection forms generated based on the literature and the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) were used as data collection tools. The average ASEX scores were similar for women using the withdrawal method as a traditional method (:13.75), RIA as a modern method (:13.93), condoms (:13.30), and oral contraceptives (:13.37), were found to be similar (p > 0.05). Since the average scores of ASEX were higher than 11, problems in sexual life were determined at high levels. The difference between ASEX average scores and duration of family planning, problems due to the method, duration of marriage, number of pregnancies and living infants, frequency of sexual intercourse, communication between partners, and self-declared sexual perception; was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The study found higher than normal average ASEX scores and we therefore suggest counseling services, provided by healthcare staff, on sexual health and family planning that include information on FP methods and their effects on sex life.