A new survey on why Singapore women are risk-takers in bed

Text Cindy Tong

Women may be enjoying greater equality in the workplace. But when it comes down to getting hot and passionate in the bedroom, men are still calling the shots.

Such were some of the findings uncovered by The Whisper Project, the largest study ever conducted on contraceptive attitudes and usage among Singaporeans.

Led by the Nanyang Business School, the study involved in-depth interviews with key influences such as doctors and counsellors, focus group discussions, and a field survey of 1,000 single and married women between the ages of 15 and 45.

Giving in to hubby
The study threw up some interesting revelations: 77 per cent of the women surveyed said their partners held the biggest influence on whether or not to use contraceptives. Almost 40 per cent did not use any method. In addition, men chose the contraceptive 65 per cent of the time.

Women understood that the Intrauterine Device (IUD), sterilisation and The Pill were more reliable than the condom, withdrawal and rhythm methods. But there remains a huge gap between knowledge and practice.

Overall, condoms remained the most commonly used form of contraception despite the women's perception that this was the least-preferred among their partners. However, the survey team thinks this was probably because condoms are easily available and convenient to use.
The withdrawal and rhythm methods were the second choice among women surveyed, and more than half felt that their partners preferred these alternatives.

Mrs Belinda Toh, 37, a bank officer and mother of two children aged seven and 13, used the withdrawal method for family planning. She said, "I have been married nearly 15 years. I felt the only way I could sustain my husband's interest in me was to give in to his wishes. I knew he did not like the artificial feel of a condom, and the Pill and other methods meant you had to go and see and doctor for a prescription. I didn't want strangers questioning me about my sexual habits."

Not another baby
These findings could well shed some light on the increase in abortions in Singapore, especially among married women.

A separate study published in 2002 by the National University Hospital found that of  1,370 women who had abortions during a five-year period, three-quarters were married. Four out of 10 were not using contraceptives.

The 2002 study also found that the percentage of women who went for repeat abortions also doubled to 33 per cent in the year 2000, from only about 14 per cent in 1996.

Likely reasons cited for married Singaporean women preferring abortions were that they did not want another child, or felt that the timing for a second child was wrong. In other cases, they either did not use contraceptives, or their contraception methods failed.

A 29 year-old mother of a 5-year-old daughter, who went for an abortion after she got pregnant again last year, said, "I guess we never expected an accident to happen. It felt like we didn't need contraceptives because we were already married.

"Most of the time we used the rhythm method. When last year's accident happened, abortion was the only way out. Both of us had agreed on just one child."

During a roundtable discussion following the release of The Whisper Project's study findings, Dr Venkat Annapoorna of the Singapore Planned Parenthood Association described the withdrawal and rhythm methods as unsafe.

"Yet Singapore couples take chances," she said. "Despite the use of condoms, pregnancies do occur, probably due to improper usage. The resultant unwanted pregnancy is traumatic to the woman and places her health at risk." 

Be safe, not sorry
Responding to the findings uncovered by The Whisper Project, doctors encouraged couples to practice greater responsibility in family planning.
Said Dr Julianah Abu-Wong, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist from Pacific Specialist Practice, "Singapore couples today have tight schedules. Their double careers and lifestyle choices may be incompatible with a crying baby in tow.

"They should therefore plan for their pregnancies carefully until they are ready to make that commitment, and be very concerned with the prospect of an unwanted child."

Doctors listed the Intrauterine System (IUS) and birth control pills, as being nearly 100 per cent reliable forms of contraception. However, some women remained reluctant to try out these contraceptive methods.

Madam Marlene Lee, a housewife and mother of a 10-year old son said, "I don't feel comfortable exposing my body to additional chemicals. Besides, I've heard that the Pill makes you put on weight, and can even increase your risk of breast cancer."

Even so, doctors say that the increased breast cancer risk is minimal. Pointed out Dr Abu-Wong at the roundtable discussion, "The higher risk is no greater than those brought on by other lifestyle factors, such as if you are overweight, or if you smoke."

"Besides the Pill also has health benefits. Usage may reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer and cardiovascular disease."

These days, birth control pills like Yasmin and Mercilon also claim to stem weight gain and even clear acne-prone skin. 

Said Dr Abu-Wong, "Some women may suffer post-abortion psychological trauma and require long-term therapy. They can avoid these adverse health consequences if they take charge of their reproductive health and choose more effective contraception.

"Husbands can play a part by helping their wives make informed choices on contraception."

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