How to Navigate a Blindspot: Pleasure in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Programming and Research

Contributions of side effects to contraceptive discontinuation and method switch among Kenyan women: a prospective cohort study

“…These findings are consistent with prior reports of sexual dysfunction being common and not varying by method type among implant, Cu‐IUD and injectable users 43 . Our findings build upon previous findings that highlight the importance of sexual experience in contraceptive acceptability and sustained use, and the need both to prioritise sexual pleasure and functioning in new contraceptive technology development and to improve counselling along the care continuum for affected women 41,42 …”

“…Sexual side effects and weight changes were each associated with discontinuation and accounted for a higher proportion of overall discontinuation compared with irregular bleeding. Contraceptive research has paid relatively little attention to the impacts of contraception on women’s sexual pleasure and experiences, particularly in LMICs 39–42 . We found that among women using implants, Cu‐IUD, injectables and OCP, sexual side effects were reported at least once over follow up by between 41% and 53% of women using each method.…”

“…43 Our findings build upon previous findings that highlight the importance of sexual experience in contraceptive acceptability and sustained use, and the need both to prioritise sexual pleasure and functioning in new contraceptive technology development and to improve counselling along the care continuum for affected women. 41,42 The prevalence of side effects reported in our study population was high, with nearly one-quarter of women experiencing at least one side effect or method-related problem weekly. Despite the high burden of side effects, many women continued using their initial contraceptive method.…”

“…Contraceptive research has paid relatively little attention to the impacts of contraception on women's sexual pleasure and experiences, particularly in LMICs. [39][40][41][42] We found that among women using implants, Cu-IUD, injectables and OCP, sexual side effects were reported at least once over follow up by between 41% and 53% of women using each method. These findings are consistent with prior reports of sexual dysfunction being common and not varying by method type among implant, Cu-IUD and injectable users.…”

Effectiveness of an Unguided Online Intervention (PleaSure) for Sexual Pleasure in Women: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

“…The authors found that promoting sexual pleasure leads to a reduction in risk behaviors associated with sexual health (Zaneva et al, 2022). Other reviews and meta-analyses show congruent findings in which pleasure-based interventions reduce sexual risk-taking and improve sexual health Hogben et al, 2015;Philpott et al, 2021;Scott-Sheldon & Johnson, 2006). The repeated demonstration of the importance of sexual pleasure to public and sexual health has provided a foundation for a pleasure-based approach to sexual health and sexual rights.…”