Influences of hormone-based contraception on female sexual function

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of a COCs containing a progestin with anti-androgenic profile (0.03 mg of ethinylestradiol/ 3 mg of drospirenon) in a continuous-regimen on female’s sexual function. Methods In presented prospective, randomized single institution study 80 healthy women with a permanent partner and active sexual life were randomized over two groups according to computer randomize function for 3 cycles. A COC containing 0.03 mg of ethinylestradiol/ 3 mg of drospirenon (EE/DRSP) was administered for the study group (n=40). The control group (n=40) used natural family planning methods and barrier contraception methods (NFPM/BCM). All study participants were asked to fill out a set of validated questionnaires, including the Female Sexual function Index (FSFI) and Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). Results The negative difference (∆) in mean baseline to 3 months changes in sexual function was observed for hormonal contraception method users. COCs was associated with significant reduction in desire, arousal, and total FSFI score compared with non-hormonal contraceptive users (∆=0.30±SD 0.91vs ∆=-0.18±SD 0.58, p=0.01; ∆=0.53±SD 1.45 vs ∆=-0.50±SD 1.06, p=0.002; ∆=9.56±SD 8.39 vs ∆=-0.80±SD 3.96, p<0.001). Hormonal contraception increased the likelihood of worse sexual function in terms of desire (OR 2.47 95% PI 1.22-4.98, p=0.01), arousal (OR 2.85 95% PI 1.34-5.93, p=0.005) and the total FSFI score (OR 2.01 95% CI 1.45-2.79, p<0.001) even after adjusting results for the smoking (desire OR 2.98 95% CI 1.34-6.45, p=0.006; arousal OR 2.74 95% CI 1.28-5.86, p=0.009 and the total FSFI score OR 1.96 95% PI 1.43-2.69, p<0.001). The use of COCs was found to have no impact on couple’s adjustment with adjusting results for smoking. Conclusion The current study found evidence that COCs containing anti-androgenic progestin appeared to be associated with negative effect on female’s sexual functi.