Hormonal contraception and the recognition of sexual receptivity by facial expression

Abstract

The possible influence of exogenous sex hormones present in hormonal contraceptives on the recognition of emotions by facial expression may interfere with interpersonal relationships. The objective of this study was to test the agreement between women with and without oral hormonal contraceptive (OC) use on the perception of sexual receptivity by facial expression, a complex social emotion. A total of 135 women participated in the study, 30 with and 105 without OC use, all older than 18 (Mean age 40.3). The volunteer participants completed an online form containing the Sexual Receptivity by Facial Expression (SRFE) scale images. The scale data were observed as means, with no significant differences between the groups. The results corroborate data from the literature regarding the interference of OC use on female emotional processing. Although without statistically significant differences, women using OC tend to agree less with the presence of sexual receptivity in facial expressions. In situations of clinical cases regarding altered female perception, the use of OC is a data to be investigated.