The relationships between induced abortion, attitudes towards sexuality and sexual problems

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate whether abortion is associated with (i) changes in attitudes and feelings towards sexual matters (erotophobia–erotophilia), (ii) sexual problems, and (iii) whether erotophobia–erotophilia and sexual problems are associated. Ninety-eight women having a first-trimester abortion were investigated together with a comparison sample of 51 non-pregnant women. Standardised questionnaires assessing sexual problems and attitudes and feelings towards sexual matters were completed by the study sample (prior to and 2 months after abortion) and the non-pregnant comparison sample. The findings indicated that attitudes and feelings towards sexual matters were similar in the study and comparison sample, and were more positive 2 months after the abortion than prior to it. More sexual problems were experienced following the discovery of the pregnancy than prior to the pregnancy or in the 2 months after abortion. Levels of sexual problems reported by the study sample prior to pregnancy and by the comparison sample were similar. Erotophobia–erotophilia and sexual problems were moderately correlated in the study sample. In conclusion, becoming pregnant did not appear to affect erotophobia–erotophilia, but having the abortion was followed by more positive attitudes and feelings towards sexual matters. Becoming pregnant had short-term negative effects on sexual relationships but these were not sustained following abortion.

Keywords:

• abortion
• termination
• erotophobia–erotophilia
• pregnancy
• sexual problems

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the women who took part in this study and to the staff involved in recruiting women, in particular Jo Fletcher and Val Laycock.