Higgins publishes on contraceptive satisfaction in Journal of Sex Research

Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, director of the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity and member of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, published a new study in the Journal of Sex Research.

“Sexual Functioning, Satisfaction, and Well-Being Among Contraceptive Users: A Three-Month Assessment From the HER Salt Lake Contraceptive Initiative” followed new contraceptive users over three months to learn about how sexual side effects of their contraceptive method affected satisfaction and continuance. The survey used assessed for bleeding changes, contraceptive-related side effects, sexual functioning and satisfaction, and perceptions of methods’ impact on sexual well-being. 

“This study indicates that about half of new-start contraceptive users perceive positive sexual impacts due to their method, and about one in seven report negative sexual impacts. Findings suggest a heretofore untapped benefit of contraception with which both clinicians and public health practitioners would be wise to familiarize themselves and potentially promote… To promote both contraceptive satisfaction and overall sexual well-being, we should work to understand and promote sex-enhancing aspects of contraceptive methods, as well as how to best match individuals with methods they will find sexually acceptable.”

Read the whole study here!