Induced abortion and psychosexuality

Little information exists on the impact of induced abortion on psychosexual ity: Negative psychological effects and psychiatric complications due to te rmination of pregnancy seem to be rare, The objective of this study was to review the impact of induced abortion on sexuality and couple relationships A systematic search of the literature was performed. Studies had, to repor t a quantitative or qualitative evaluation of sexuality after pregnancy ter mination, Four studies were included In the one prospective study using a control gro up, no difference in sexual functioning between groups after 1 year was rep orted. In the remaining observational studies, sexual dysfunction was repor ted in up to 30% of women after termination, Women undergoing abortion had. significantly more conflicts in their partnerships. This was similar in al l studies Separation occurred in about one-quarter of all couples. Some studies report sexual dysfunction after termination of pregnancy Iri a bout half of the couples separated after termination, abortion seemed not t o have led to the separation, Psychological factors, together with relation ship problems, might have played a role in failed contraception The impact of induced abortion on sexuality needs to be studied in greater detail with rigorous methodology to draw firm conclusions.