Sexuality, partner relations and contraceptive practice after termination of pregnancy

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of termination of pregnan cy (TOP) on women's sexual well-being, the couple and contraceptive practic e. in a prospective qualitative and quantitative study 103 women undergoing induced abortion by vacuum aspiration were interviewed before the abortion and 6 months later The interview was performed by means of a questionnaire including open and closed questions, and two psychological tests (Locke-Wa llace and Horowitz). After TOP, the majority of women did not report change s in their sexual behavior and satisfaction. Eighteen per cent of women rep orted a decrease in sexual desire and 17% reported orgasmic disorders. Abou t one-third of women described psychosomatic symptoms, but a minority were traumatized by the event. Ninety-eight per cent of the women were informed about, and had practiced, contraception in the past; 69% had actually used some kind of contraception during the menstrual cycle that had resulted in pregnancy (31% had had unprotected intercourse). Six months later, 83% prac ticed contraception, and only 17% did not. Fourteen out of 84 couples separ ated after TOP (one in six). Six months after TOP, the large majority of wo men interviewed seemed able to cope with TOP A minority presented some pers isting sexual dysfunction and/or some psychosomatic symptoms.