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Is Reproductive Orientation Associated with Sexual Satisfaction Among Partnered U.S. Women?
Karina M Shreffler1, Larry Gibbs2, Stacy Tiemeyer3
1College of Nursing, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1100 N. Stonewall Ave., Oklahoma City, OK, 73117, USA. karina-shreffler@ouhsc.edu.
Archives of Sexual Behavior
|August 4, 2021
Summary
Women's desire to become pregnant influences sexual satisfaction. Relationship quality moderates this link, with "trying to conceive" associated with higher satisfaction in poorer relationships and lower satisfaction in better ones.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Sexual Health
- Sociology of Reproduction
Background:
- Limited understanding exists regarding the connection between reproductive orientation and sexual satisfaction in women of reproductive age.
- Reproductive orientation encompasses diverse statuses: actively trying to conceive, ambivalent, attempting to avoid pregnancy, or post-sterilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between reproductive orientation and sexual satisfaction among women of childbearing age.
- To explore the moderating role of relationship characteristics and demographic factors in this association.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Survey of Fertility Barriers (N=2811).
- Employed regression analyses to examine associations, adjusting for union type, relationship quality, relationship length, infertility history, age, parity, and race/ethnicity.
Main Results:
- Initially, women ambivalent about or trying to conceive reported higher sexual satisfaction than sterilized women.
- This association diminished when relationship quality was included in the models.
- The relationship between reproductive orientation and sexual satisfaction was contingent on relationship quality.
Conclusions:
- Reproductive orientation's impact on sexual satisfaction is complex and influenced by relationship quality.
- Women in lower-quality relationships who were trying to conceive reported higher sexual satisfaction.
- Conversely, women in higher-quality relationships who were trying to conceive reported lower sexual satisfaction.
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