Discontinuation of Hormonal Contraception Due to Changes in Mood and Decreases in Sexual Desire: the Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences

Overview

Journal Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care

Publisher Informa Healthcare

Specialty Reproductive Medicine

Date 2022 Feb 8

PMID 35133231

Authors

Andrew M Novick

Rachel L Johnson

Aaron Lazorwitz

Anna Belyavskaya

Lily Berkowitz

Aileen Norton

Mary D Sammel

C Neill Epperson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate if adverse childhood experiences are associated with hormonal contraception discontinuation due to mood and sexual side effects.

Materials And Methods: Women, ages 18-40 ( = 826), with current and/or previous hormonal contraceptive use completed surveys on demographics, contraceptive history, and the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire. We characterised women into high (≥2 adverse experiences) and low (0 or 1) adverse childhood experience groups. We calculated risk ratios for associations between adverse childhood experiences and outcomes of interest using log binomial generalised linear models, and adjusted for relevant demographic variables.

Results: Women in the high adverse childhood experiences group ( = 355) were more likely to report having discontinued hormonal contraception due to decreases in sexual desire (adjusted risk ratio 1.44, 1.03-2.00, = .030). Covariates included age, current hormonal contraception use, and various demographic variables associated with discontinuation. Adverse childhood experiences were not associated with mood or sexual side effects among current ( = 541) hormonal contraceptive users.

Conclusions: Self-reported adverse childhood experiences were associated with greater likelihood of discontinuing hormonal contraception due to behavioural side effects, particularly decreases in sexual desire. Identification of risk factors for behavioural side effects can assist patients and clinicians in making informed choices on contraception that minimise risk of early discontinuation.

Citing Articles

Women's health, hormonal balance, and personal autonomy.

Segarra I, Menarguez M, Roque M Front Med (Lausanne). 2023; 10:1167504.

PMID: 37457571 PMC: 10347535. DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1167504.

Adverse childhood experiences and hormonal contraception: Interactive impact on sexual reward function.

Novick A, Stoddard J, Johnson R, Duffy K, Berkowitz L, Costa V PLoS One. 2023; 18(1):e0279764.

PMID: 36649369 PMC: 9844925. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279764.

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