Contraceptive methods are an important part of assessing sexual pleasure for both sexes. Which ones are statistically the most satisfying for women? A team of sexologists from the Kinsley Institute at Indiana University demonstrated with a detailed study how statistically, the fairer sex considers condoms to undermine sexual pleasure, but their use in combination with hormonal contraceptives gives unexpectedly good results. The authors of the study reveal that this strange trend reflects the way of thinking of the ladies, who in the polls conditionally divide the pleasure into two types: pleasure from the sexual act itself and pleasure from their sexual relationship with the partner in general. When assessing the second aspect, researchers track not only the satisfaction of sexual desires, but also related factors such as sexual self-esteem, sexual security, and satisfaction with intimate relationships in a broader aspect. According to these criteria and according to the answers of the respondents, the use of both popular methods is related to the highest values ​​of satisfaction. On the other hand, when asked about the effect of the contraceptive method itself on sexual intercourse, the ladies mostly gave answers showing reduced pleasure when using only condoms. Those using only oral contraceptives did not associate the method with reduced pleasure in any paragraph. On the contrary, the latter method makes them feel more secure and helps them relax more easily. The author of the study, Dr. Stephanie Sanders, states that women’s sexual pleasure is an unfairly neglected topic by researchers around the world and highlights a major problem arising from this. It is rooted in the accumulated beliefs of some ladies that condoms lower sexual pleasure, making them more likely to stop using them. NEWS_MORE_BOX The false sense of greater security in the use of both methods should not be reinforced: if the purpose of the precautions is only to eliminate the possibility of unwanted pregnancy – oral contraceptives, prescribed by a specialist and taken regularly, are quite sufficient. A condom as a supplement to oral medications is advised to be used only when one or more doses of the “pill” are missed or there is sexual contact with a new partner and protection from sexually transmitted diseases should be sought. If used with a regular partner, there is a possibility that women will become permanently convinced of the negative properties of the condom and give up its use, which is considered a behavioral risk factor in sexual life, reveals Dr. Sanders.