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Contraceptive practice and trends in coital frequency
Family Planning Perspectives
|September 1, 1980
Summary
Coital frequency in married couples increased significantly from 1965-1970, then slowed. Changes in contraceptive use and pregnancy exposure influenced this trend, with effective methods showing less impact on frequency decline.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Demography
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Coital frequency is a key indicator of marital dynamics and sexual health.
- Understanding trends in sexual behavior is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze changes in coital frequency among continuously married white couples between 1965 and 1975.
- To identify factors influencing these changes, particularly contraceptive use and pregnancy exposure.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal analysis of coital frequency data from married white couples over two five-year periods (1965-1970 and 1970-1975).
- Statistical examination of the correlation between coital frequency and shifts in contraceptive methods and pregnancy exposure categories.
Main Results:
- Coital frequency increased by 19% from 1965-1970, followed by a slower 5% increase from 1970-1975.
- The later increase was linked to women using contraception or being in pregnancy-exposure categories associated with higher coital frequency.
- Women switching to more effective contraception experienced less decline in coital frequency compared to those using less effective methods or no change.
Conclusions:
- Shifts in contraceptive practices and pregnancy exposure significantly influenced coital frequency trends.
- The adoption of more effective contraceptive methods may mitigate declines in coital frequency over time, even with age-related changes.