A prospective analysis of the relationship between sexual acceptability and contraceptive satisfaction over time.

BACKGROUND: Contraceptives are used to prevent unwanted pregnancies and treat certain gynecologic conditions, but many women report non-use or inconsistent use because of method dissatisfaction. The sexual acceptability of contraception-how birth control methods affect users' sexual well-being-is likely an important component of contraceptive satisfaction but has yet to be systematically examined. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess contraceptive satisfaction among new-start contraceptive users and examine whether sexual acceptability measures predict contraceptive satisfaction at 3 months while controlling for more commonly measured contraceptive side effects. STUDY DESIGN: This analysis used data derived from the baseline, 1-month, and 3-month surveys of the HER Salt Lake Contraceptive Initiative, a prospective cohort study of new contraceptive clients. From March 2016 to March 2017, enrolled participants received their desired contraceptive method at no cost and could switch or discontinue at any time (up to 3 years). This analysis included individuals who continued their new contraceptive method for at least 1 month and completed all relevant survey measures. We used ordered logistic regression modeling to predict contraceptive satisfaction at 3 months. Primary predictor variables included changes in sexual functioning (6-item Female Sexual Function Index), sexual satisfaction (New Sexual Satisfaction Scale), and perceived impact of the contraceptive method on sex life at 1 month. Covariates included vaginal bleeding changes, physical side effects, and mood-related side effects. RESULTS: Our analytical sample included 1879 individuals. At 3 months, 52.1% of participants were "completely satisfied" with their contraceptive method, 30.7% were "somewhat satisfied," 4.2% were "neither satisfied nor dissatisfied," 6.9% were "somewhat dissatisfied," and 6.2% were "completely dissatisfied." Compared with patients who said their contraceptive method made their sex life "a lot" worse at 1 month, patients whose method improved their sex life "a lot" had a 7.7 times increased odds of greater satisfaction at 3 months (95% confidence interval, 4.02-14.60; P<.0001) and patients whose method improved their sex life a "little" had a 5.88 times increased odds of greater satisfaction (confidence interval, 3.12-11.11; P<.001). To a much lesser degree, experiencing less or no bleeding was significantly associated with increased satisfaction, whereas worsening of physical side effects was linked to decreased satisfaction. The only other factors significantly associated with satisfaction were changes in bleeding and physical side effects. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that patients' sexual experiences of their contraceptive methods are important correlates of satisfaction. Clinicians may wish to underscore that sexual experiences of birth control methods matter and encourage patients to find a contraceptive method that works for them sexually.

Measuring the Sexual Acceptability of Contraception: Psychometric Examination and Development of a Valid and Reliable Prospective Instrument.

BACKGROUND: People's sexual experiences have a strong association with contraceptive satisfaction and continuation, but no measures exist to specifically assess contraceptive-related sexual acceptability. AIM: This study developed and examined the psychometric properties of reliability, separation, and item fit of a new Contraceptive Sexual Acceptability (CSA) instrument. METHODS: Enrolled participants initiating a new contraceptive method from the HER Salt Lake longitudinal cohort study contributed baseline survey responses for scale development. The study included the Female Sexual Function Index, the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale, measures of physical and mood-related side effects, and self-reported perceptions of contraception's sexual impacts. Items from these measures' served as the basis for analyses. We analyzed responses using descriptive techniques and modeled using exploratory factor (EFA) and bifactor analyses (BFA). The Masters' Partial Credit Rasch method modeled reliability, separation, and item fit statistics. Here we evaluate (i) the reproducibility of relative measure location on the modeled linear latent variable, (ii) the number of statistically unique performance levels that can be distinguished by the measure, and (iii) the discrepancy between item responses and expectations of the model. Psychometric findings and theoretical models informed item reduction and final scale development. OUTCOMES: We developed a 10-item Contraceptive Sexual Acceptability scale that exceeded the thresholds and sufficiently covered domains for use in contraceptive research and clinical settings. RESULTS: Starting with data on 39-items from 4,387 individuals, we identified 10-items that best measured the CSA latent construct. The Rasch model included a total of 5 calibrations. We reduced items based on bifactor analysis and surpassed unidimensionality thresholds (OH = 0.84, ECV = 0.74) set a priori. The final items included questions with scaled responses about pleasure and orgasm (orgasm quality, orgasm frequency, giving partner pleasure), physical (arousal and function) and psychological (emotional connection, surrender) components, general questions of satisfaction and frequency, and a measure of perceived impact of contraception on sexual experiences in the previous 4 weeks. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The 10-item CSA instrument covers physical and psychological aspects of contraceptive sexual acceptability and can be used in clinical settings. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: The unidimensional CSA instrument offers a brief, yet comprehensive assessment of sexual acceptability. Given the limited diversity of the sample, implementation of this scale in contraceptive research and clinical interactions should be evaluated and validated in more diverse settings. CONCLUSION: Attuning to sexual acceptability could ultimately help contraceptive clients find methods that better meet their needs and preferences. Sanders JN, Kean J, Zhang C, et al. Measuring the Sexual Acceptability of Contraception: Psychometric Examination and Development of a Valid and Reliable Prospective Instrument. J Sex Med 2022;19:507-520.

Pregnancy (im)possibilities: identifying factors that influence sexual minority women's pregnancy desires.

Sexual minority women (SMW) face both increased risk for unintended pregnancy and barriers to achieving wanted pregnancy, but little research investigates SMW's pregnancy desires. To fill this gap, we conducted five focus groups and 11 in-depth interviews with 20-30-year-old SMW in three US cities. Findings highlight that the heteronormative pregnancy planning paradigm lacks salience for SMW. While some SMW clearly wish to avoid pregnancy, many others are unsure, and factors influencing this uncertainty include relationship context, anticipating logistical barriers, and discord between queer identity and pregnancy.

Sexual Minority Women and Contraceptive Use: Complex Pathways Between Sexual Orientation and Health Outcomes.

Compared with their heterosexual peers, sexual minority women (SMW; e.g., queer, bisexual, lesbian, pansexual) have an elevated risk for unintended pregnancy.A team of social science and clinical researchers qualitatively documented the multilevel pathways leading to this disparity, particularly the contexts of contraceptive use. From August 2017 to April 2018, we conducted focus groups and interviews with young adult cisgender SMW in 3 cities: Chicago, Illinois; Madison, Wisconsin; and Salt Lake City, Utah.Most participants reported experience with both penile-vaginal intercourse and contraception. However, they faced several queer-specific barriers to preventing unwanted pregnancy, including a comparative lack of self-concept as contraceptive users, fear of stigma from both queer and health care communities, use of less-effective methods because of infrequent penile-vaginal intercourse and a sense that longer-acting methods were "overkill," and previous experiences of discrimination such as homophobia and gender-based violence. However, participants also reported ways that contraception could align with queer identity, including both taking advantage of noncontraceptive benefits and framing contraception as sex- and queer-positive. These facilitators can inform future efforts to help SMW better meet their pregnancy prevention needs.

Provider Bias in Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) Promotion and Removal: Perceptions of Young Adult Women.

Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is effective and acceptable. However, concern exists about potential provider bias in LARC promotion. No study has documented contraceptive users' attitudes toward or experiences with provider influence and bias regarding LARC. We collected qualitative data in 2014 to address this gap. Participants were 50 young adult women with any history of contraceptive use (including LARC) in Dane County, Wisconsin. Women often described providers as a trusted source of contraceptive information. However, several women reported that their preferences regarding contraceptive selection or removal were not honored. Furthermore, many participants believed that providers recommend LARC disproportionately to socially marginalized women. We encourage contraceptive counseling and removal protocols that directly address historical reproductive injustices and that honor patients' wishes.

Fatherhood, marriage and HIV risk among young men in rural Uganda.

Compared to a large body of work on how gender may affect young women's vulnerability to HIV, we know little about how masculine ideals and practices relating to marriage and fertility desires shape young men's HIV risk. Using life-history interview data with 30 HIV-positive and HIV-negative young men aged 15-24 years, this analysis offers an in-depth perspective on young men's transition through adolescence, the desire for fatherhood and experience of sexual partnerships in rural Uganda. Young men consistently reported the desire for fatherhood as a cornerstone of masculinity and transition to adulthood. Ideally young men wanted children within socially sanctioned unions. Yet, most young men were unable to realise their marital intentions. Gendered expectations to be economic providers combined with structural constraints, such as limited access to educational and income-generating opportunities, led some young men to engage in a variety of HIV-risk behaviours. Multiple partnerships and limited condom use were at times an attempt by some young men to attain some part of their aspirations related to fatherhood and marriage. Our findings suggest that young men possess relationship and parenthood aspirations that - in an environment of economic scarcity - may influence HIV-related risk.

The Role of Young Adults' Pleasure Attitudes in Shaping Condom Use.

Condoms can help young adults protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. We examined young people's attitudes about whether condoms reduced pleasure and how these attitudes shape condom practices. We used a nationally representative sample of 2328 heterosexually active, unmarried 15- to 24-year-old young adults to document multivariate associations with condom nonuse at the last sexual episode. For both young men and women, pleasure-related attitudes were more strongly associated with lack of condom use than all sociodemographic or sexual history factors. Research and interventions should consistently assess and address young people's attitudes about how condoms affect pleasure.

Importance of relationship context in HIV transmission: results from a qualitative case-control study in Rakai, Uganda.

We present results from life history interviews with 60 young adults from southern Uganda. Using a novel qualitative case-control design, we compared newly HIV-positive cases with HIV-negative controls matched on age, gender, marital status, and place of residence. Relationship context was the most salient theme differentiating cases from controls. Compared with HIV-negative respondents, recent seroconverters described relationships marked by poorer communication, greater suspicion and mistrust, and larger and more transitory sexual networks. Results highlight the importance of dyadic approaches to HIV and possibly of couple-based interventions. Using HIV-matched pairs allowed additional understanding of the factors influencing transmission. This hybrid methodological approach holds promise for future studies of sexual health.

Use of withdrawal (coitus interruptus) for both pregnancy and HIV prevention among young adults in Rakai, Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: Although understudied in the context of AIDS, use of withdrawal (coitus interruptus) with or in place of other prevention methods affects exposure to both pregnancy and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). AIM: We used mixed methods to assess use of withdrawal among 15-24-year-olds in a rural Ugandan setting with considerable HIV prevalence. METHODS: We measured withdrawal reporting among (i) sexually active 15-24-year-olds enrolled in a quantitative community survey (n = 6,722) and (ii) in-depth qualitative interview participants systematically selected from the latest round of the community survey (N = 60). Respondents were asked about family planning and HIV prevention practices, including a direct question about withdrawal in the in-depth interviews. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were reports of current use of withdrawal on the quantitative survey (general question about family planning methods) and reports of current or recent use withdrawal in qualitative interviews (specific question about withdrawal). Qualitative interviews also probed for factors associated with withdrawal use. RESULTS: Although less than 1% of quantitative survey participants spontaneously named withdrawal as their current family planning method, 48% of qualitative interview respondents reported current or lifetime use of withdrawal. Withdrawal was often used as a pleasurable alternative to condoms, when condoms were not available, and/or as a "placeholder" method before obtaining injectable contraception. A few respondents described using withdrawal to reduce HIV risk. CONCLUSION: Qualitative findings revealed widespread withdrawal use among young adults in Rakai, mainly as a condom alternative. Thus, withdrawal may shape exposure to both pregnancy and HIV. Future behavioral surveys should assess withdrawal practices directly--and separately from other contraceptives and HIV prevention methods. Further clinical research should further document withdrawal's association with HIV risk.

The intimate link: a systematic review of highly effective reversible contraception and women's sexual experience.

Contraception is expressly designed for nonprocreative sexual activity, but we know little about how methods shape women's sexual experience. To systematically review the literature on highly effective reversible contraception (HERC) and sexual experiences. MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant literature. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria; all were conducted outside of the United States. All studies reviewed found either improvements or no change in sexual experience and function outcomes with HERC use. A need exists for more prospective studies with a wider range of measures to assess HERC methods' impact on women's sexual experiences.

What attributes of abortion care affect people's decision-making? Results from a discrete choice experiment.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to measure both stated and experimentally "revealed" abortion provision preferences among US people with capacity for pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: In July 2022, we recruited US residents assigned female sex at birth and aged 18 to 55 years using Prolific, an online survey hosting platform. We asked participants what first-trimester abortion method and delivery model they would prefer. We also assessed abortion care preferences with a discrete choice experiment, which examined the relative importance of the following care attributes: method, distance, wait time for appointment, delivery model (telehealth vs in-clinic), and cost. RESULTS: More than half of the 887 respondents (59%) self-reported a slight (22%) or strong (37%) preference for medication compared to aspiration abortion; 11% stated no preference. Our discrete choice experiment found that cost and wait time had a greater effect on hypothetical decision-making than did method and delivery model (discrete choice experiment average importances = 44.3 and 23.2, respectively, compared to 15.9 and 8.2, respectively). Simulations indicated that holding other attributes constant, respondents preferred medication to aspiration abortion and telehealth to in-clinic care. CONCLUSIONS: This study, the first to examine abortion preferences in the United States, using a discrete choice experiment, demonstrates the importance of wait time and cost in abortion care decision-making. Our work indicates that for this population, factors related to health care financing and organization may matter more than clinical aspects of care. IMPLICATIONS: Although people in this study preferred medication to aspiration abortion and telehealth to in-clinic care, wait time and cost of care played a greater role in care decision-making. Focusing solely on clinical aspects of care (i.e., method, delivery model) may ignore other attributes of care that are particularly important for potential patients.

'The Biggest Problem With Access': Provider Reports of the Effects of Wisconsin 2011 Act 217 Medication Abortion Legislation.

BACKGROUND: Abortion legislation in the United States determines people's access to services, including the abortion modality of their choice. In 2012, Wisconsin legislators passed Act 217, banning telemedicine for medication abortion and requiring the same physician to be physically present when patients signed state-mandated abortion consent forms and to administer abortion medications over 24 hours later. OBJECTIVE: No research documented real-time outcomes of 2011 Act 217 in Wisconsin; this study documents providers' descriptions of the effects of Wisconsin abortion regulations on providers, patients, and abortion care in the state. METHODS: We interviewed 22 Wisconsin abortion care providers (18 physicians and 4 staff members) about how Act 217 affected abortion provision. We coded transcripts using a combined deductive and inductive approach, then identified themes about how this legislation affects patients and providers. RESULTS: Providers interviewed universally reported that Act 217 negatively affected abortion care, with the same-physician requirement especially increasing risk to patients and demoralizing providers. Interviewees emphasized the lack of medical need for this legislation and explained that Act 217 and the previously enacted 24-hour waiting period worked synergistically to decrease access to medication abortion, disproportionately affecting rural and low-income Wisconsinites. Finally, providers felt Wisconsin's legislative ban on telemedicine medication abortion should be lifted. CONCLUSION: Wisconsin abortion providers interviewed underscored how Act 217, alongside previous regulations, limited medication abortion access in the state. This evidence helps build a case for the harmful effects of non-evidence-based abortion restrictions, which is crucial considering recent deferral to state law after the fall of Roe v Wade in 2022.

Characterizing physician concerns with publicly supporting abortion at Wisconsin's largest medical school.

OBJECTIVE: To examine factors associated with physicians' level of concern and perceived consequences of publicly supporting abortion at Wisconsin's largest and only publicly funded medical school. METHODS: We surveyed physicians at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health about their knowledge, attitudes, and referral practices regarding abortion care. Among those who expressed support for abortion (N = 701), we analyzed perceived concerns about making their support public. RESULTS: Nearly a quarter (22%) of respondents felt very or extremely concerned that taking a strong public stance on abortion would alienate patients and 17% felt very or extremely concerned that doing so would alienate coworkers. More than a quarter (27%) felt very or extremely concerned that publicly supporting abortion would lead to harassment or harm. Those with greater concerns about expressing public support for abortion were comparatively less willing to refer for or participate in abortion care themselves. CONCLUSIONS: Many physicians supportive of abortion reported concerns over publicizing their support for this common health care service. These concerns may render physicians less likely to refer patients for needed abortion care or weigh in on abortion policy.

Physician beliefs about abortion safety and their participation in abortion care.

OBJECTIVE: To document physicians' beliefs about abortion safety and the associations between these beliefs and physician support for, referral for, and participation in abortion care. METHODS: In a 2019 survey at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, we assessed physicians' abortion attitudes, beliefs, and practices (N = 893). We conducted bivariate analyses followed by logistic regression to document relationships between physician beliefs about abortion safety and their support for, referral to, and participation in abortion care. RESULTS: Four-in-five physicians (78%, n = 690) believed that abortion is very or extremely safe. Medical specialty (Obstetrics-Gynecology vs. other; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 10.58, 95% CI: 1.41-79.56), educational exposure to abortion (aOR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.02-2.01), and religiosity (aOR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.41-0.85) were associated with physicians' beliefs about the safety of abortion. Providers who believed that abortion was very/extremely safe were more likely to support medication (aOR = 2.99, 95% CI: 1.93-4.65) and procedural abortion (aOR = 3.56, 95% CI: 2.31-5.50) and refer patients for abortion care (aOR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.90-5.01). CONCLUSION: Although abortions are associated with extremely few adverse events, a sizable portion of surveyed physicians had incorrect perceptions of the safety of abortion. These beliefs were associated with decreased support and referrals for abortion care. Educational exposure to abortion is associated with more accurate assessments of abortion safety, underscoring the importance of training in this area. Considering the current abortion policy landscape, it is imperative for physicians to hold accurate knowledge about abortion so they can provide comprehensive counseling and, when indicated, referrals for safe and legal care.

"I'm going to be forced to have a baby": A study of COVID-19 abortion experiences on Reddit.

INTRODUCTION: The initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic affected abortion care in the United States (US) in myriad ways. While research has documented systems-level pandemic-related impacts on abortion access and care delivery little information exists about the experiences of abortion seekers during this period. We sought to document the effects of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions US abortion seekers by analyzing posts on Reddit, a popular social media website. METHODS: We compiled and coded 528 anonymous posts on the abortion subreddit from 3/20/2020 to 4/12/2020 and applied inductive qualitative analytic techniques to identify themes. RESULTS: We identified four primary themes. First, posters reported several COVID-19-related barriers to abortion services: reduced in-person access due to clinic closures, mail delivery delays of abortion medications, and pandemic-related financial barriers to both self-managed and in-clinic abortion. The second theme encompassed quarantine-driven privacy challenges, primarily challenges with concealing an abortion from household members. Third, posters detailed how the pandemic constrained their pregnancy decision making, including time pressure from impending clinic closures. Finally, posters reported COVID-19-related changes to service delivery that negatively affected their abortion experiences, for example being unable to bring a support person into the clinic due to pandemic visitor restrictions. DISCUSSION: This analysis of real-time social media posts reveals multiple ways that the COVID-19 pandemic limited abortion access in the US and affected abortion seekers' decisions and experiences. Findings shed light on the consequences of sudden changes, whether pandemic or policy related, on abortion service delivery.

Socioeconomics and Erotic Inequity: A Theoretical Overview and Narrative Review of Associations Between Poverty, Socioeconomic Conditions, and Sexual Wellbeing.

Sexual health includes positive aspects of sexuality and the possibility of having pleasurable sexual experiences. However, few researchers examine how socioeconomic conditions shape sexual wellbeing. This paper presents the concept of "erotic equity," which refers to how social and structural systems enable, or fail to enable, positive aspects of sexuality. In part one, we use this concept to consider potential pathways through which socioeconomic conditions, especially poverty, may shape sexuality. Part two builds from this theoretical framework to review the empirical literature that documents associations between socioeconomics and sexual wellbeing. This narrative review process located 47 studies from more than 22 countries. Forty-four studies indicated that individuals who reported more constrained socioeconomic conditions, primarily along the lines of income, education, and occupation, also reported poorer indicators of sexual wellbeing, especially satisfaction and overall functioning. Most studies used unidimensional measures of socioeconomic status, treating them as individual-level control variables; few documented socioeconomics as structural pathways through which erotic inequities may arise. Based on these limitations, in part three we make calls for the integration of socioeconomic conditions into sexuality researchers' paradigms of multi-level influences on sexuality.

Sex, poverty, and public health: Connections between sexual wellbeing and economic resources among US reproductive health clients.

OBJECTIVE: To document associations between socioeconomics and indicators of sexual wellbeing. METHODS: We obtained our data from the HER Salt Lake Initiative, a large, longitudinal cohort study of family planning clients in the United States who accessed free contraceptive services between March 2016 and March 2017. Baseline socioeconomic measures included Federal Poverty Level, receipt of public assistance, and difficulty paying for housing, food, and other necessities. Sexual wellbeing measures assessed sexual functioning and satisfaction, frequency of orgasm, and current sex-life rating. Among participants who had been sexually active in the last month (N = 2581), we used chi-square tests to examine bivariate associations between sexual and socioeconomic measures. RESULTS: We found strong and consistent relationships between sexual wellbeing and economic resources: those reporting more socioeconomic constraints also reported fewer signs of sexual flourishing. CONCLUSIONS: Financial scarcity appears to constrain sexual wellbeing. To support positive sexual health, the public health field must continue to focus on economic reform, poverty reduction, and dismantling of structural classism as critical aspects of helping people achieve their full health and wellbeing potential. ClinialTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02734199.