Oral contraceptives and women's sexuality: Commentary on Roberts, Cobey, Klapilová, and Havlí?ek (2013)

摘要

The complex effects that oral contraceptives (OCs) have on women's sexuality and the as yet limited understanding of their variability across women are beyond dispute. Given the finding that OC-induced reduction of testosterone is associated with negative effects on sexual desire in some women, no effects in some, and apparently positive effects in others (Graham, Bancroft, Greco, Tanner, & Doll, 2007), it is of fundamental importance that we find meaningful predictors of these contrasting patterns. Citing evidence that OCs affect women's partner preferences, Roberts, Cobey, Klapilova, and Havlicek (2013) suggested that an evolutionary approach offered a new perspective on the relationship between OCs and sexual desire. While we agree that new perspectives on this topic are badly needed, we wish to comment on and correct some of the statements made by Roberts et al. about previous research in this area.