Effects of two types of hormonal contraception--oral versus intravaginal--on the sexual life of women and their partners.
BACKGROUND
Data relating to the influence of hormonal contraception on sexual life are conflicting and mostly they refer to oral contraceptives. In this randomized, controlled, prospective study we compared the effect of an intravaginal hormonal contraceptive with the effect of a combined oral contraceptive on sexual function.


METHODS
Fifty-one healthy women with a permanent partner and an active sexual life were randomly divided in two groups according to a computer-generated randomization list: 26 women (group A) used an intravaginal contraceptive releasing 120 microg/day of etonogestrel and 15 microg/day of ethinylestradiol (EE) and 25 women (group B) used an oral contraceptive containing 20 microg di EE and 150 microg of desogestrel. Twenty-five women participated in the study as control group (group C). A specific questionnaire was completed by the patients and their partners at the start of the study and after cycles 3 and 6 of contraceptive use.


RESULTS
Within 3 months of contraceptive use, women from both groups A and B reported a global improvement in sexual function. A statistically significant increase in sexual fantasy was reported only by patients of group A. Whereas partners of the women in both groups A and B reported an improvement in sexual function after 3 months of contraceptive intake, only patients' partners of group A reported a significant increase in sexual interest, complicity and sexual fantasy.


CONCLUSIONS
Both hormonal contraceptives tested were seen to have a positive effect on some aspects of sexual function. The intravaginal contraceptive ring seems to exert a further positive effect on the psychological aspect of both women and their partners, which is evident from an improved complicity and sexual satisfaction.
Guida
Maurizio
M
Dipartimento di Ostetricia, Ginecologia e Fisiopatologia della Riproduzione Umana, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italia. cdispie@tin.it
Di Spiezio Sardo
Attilio
A
Bramante
Silvia
S
Sparice
Stefania
S
Acunzo
Giuseppe
G
Tommaselli
Giovanni Antonio
GA
Di Carlo
Costantino
C
Pellicano
Massimiliano
M
Greco
Elena
E
Nappi
Carmine
C
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology; D019529:Sexuality / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004967:Estrogens; C044815:etonogestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D017135:Desogestrel