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Abstract
Background Little is known about how condoms and other contraceptives influence women’s sexual enjoyment, which could shape use patterns. Methods Data from an online study of women’s sexual health and functioning were used to examine how three categories of contraceptive use—hormonal method only, condoms primarily, and dual use—could help predict decreased sexual pleasure associated with contraceptive method and overall sexual satisfaction in the past 4 weeks. Results In analyses controlling for age, relationship length, and other variables, male condoms were most strongly associated with decreased pleasure, whether used alone or in conjunction with hormonal methods. Women who used hormonal methods alone were least likely to report decreased pleasure, but they also had significantly lower overall scores of sexual satisfaction compared with the other two groups.