Is enjoyment or satisfaction the goal?

• Position: Female Sexuality - Brief article

Many women think condoms undermine sexual pleasure, but those who use hormonal contraception and condoms report higher overall sexual satisfaction, according to data from the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, Bloomington. The study authors suggest that this inconsistency reflects how women think about their contraceptive method when asked questions about two different aspects of sexuality--enjoyment and overall satisfaction.

When considering satisfaction, which goes beyond the immediate sexual moment and includes factors such as sexual self-esteem and relationship satisfaction, women who use condoms and hormonal methods report the highest levels of sexual satisfaction. On the other hand, when asked directly about the effect of contraceptive methods on sexual enjoyment, women who use condoms, either alone or with hormonal methods, are far mere likely to...