The Kinsey Institute: Oral Contraceptive Study, Slide 2/12

Background

Bancroft & Sartorius (1990) review:

Whereas OCs were not associated with increased likelihood of major depressive illness or major sexual dysfunction, the possibility that less severe negative mood and sexual changes might occur remained a distinct possibility. It is commonplace for reports to mention negative mood or sexual changes as side effects, but there has been little systematic investigation of these.

Two types of studies were needed:

• A placebo-controlled assessment of direct hormonal effects of the OC on well-being and sexuality in women not using the pill for contraception. In such a study, Graham et al., (1995) reported negative effects on mood and sexual interest.
• An assessment of both direct hormonal effects and psychosocial factors and their interactions in women using OC for contraceptive purposes. Our current study is of this type.

Investigators: John Bancroft, M.D., The Kinsey Institute; Stephanie Sanders, Ph.D., The Kinsey Institute and Gender Studies; Cynthia Graham, Ph.D., Dept. of Psychology; Judith Klein, M.D., Planned Parenthood of Central and Southern Indiana
Research Associates: Jennifer Bass, Stephanie Hinton

This research is being assisted by a fellowship from the Sexuality Research Fellowship Program of the Social Science Research Council with funds provided by the Ford Foundation.

Copyright (c) 1997 The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction.

Back to The Kinsey Institute's Current Research Projects.

Last updated: 01 December 1997
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