PSYCHOSOMATIC ASPECTS OF ORAL CONTRACEPTION

Oral contraceptive use is influenced by multiple emotional factors. Physiological and psychological effects are closely correlated. Contraception may assist women in pursuing important psychosocial goals, on the other hand, it may cause a number of problems. Many unconscious wishes or fears may interfere with the clear separation of sexuality from fertility. Ambivalence about pregnancy, neurotic personalities and problems in partner relationship may cause psychic conflicts with regard to contraception. Anxiety, side effects, misuse of contraceptives or problems in the relationship between doctor and patient may result. As a further development psychosomatic symptoms such as discomfort, nervousness, sleep disturbance, fatigue, nausea and-sexual disorders may appear. The physician must take contradictory feelings of the patient into consideration, including her anxiety and her possible ambivalence with respect to pregnancy.