PSYCHOSEXUAL PROBLEMS IN THE CONTRACEPTIVE CONSULTATION – COVERT PRESENTATIONS (EMOTIONAL FEARS)
Blair described how giving up the oral contraceptive pill may be a signal of emotional fears and other difficulties such as the relationship with the partner (Blair, 1983). She reported on patients who were requesting termination of pregnancy who had taken the Pill and either given up or taken it irregularly. Some of these patients had fears about their femininity and needed to test them out by becoming pregnant. There were adolescents who were having problems in other areas of their lives and complained that they ‘could not take’ the Pill. They were having battles with authority figures and wished to demonstrate their sexuality and independence in an irresponsible way. Other patients felt under stress and were resentful of having to take contraceptive pills. They were unable to ask for help with their lives without creating a crisis. Finally, a group was identified where the anxieties projected onto the Pill were actually a sign of stress within the partnership. They could be a cover for an actual dislike of intercourse or frigidity, or an expression of problems such as retarded or premature ejaculation. Many of this group had given up the Pill when they needed it most – just as the relationship was disintegrating.
*300/197/1*
