A double blind randomized control trial, comparing effect of drospirenone and gestodene to sexual desire and libido.
BACKGROUND
Oral contraceptive is the most commonly used method of fertility control. Yasmin is a combination of a novel progestogen with anti-androgenic and anti-mineralcorticoid activities (3 mg Drospirenone (DRSP) and 30 microg ethinylestradiol (EE)). It has been shown in many clinical trials that Yasmin is an efficacious oral contraceptive, lacking undesired effects as with other oral contraceptives such as weight gain. However the effects of Yasmin on sexual desire and libido have not been intensively investigated so far


OBJECTIVE
Investigate the effects of Yasmin on sexual desire, libido and changes in the free androgen index (FAI) compare to Meliane (75 microg gestodene + 20 microg ethinylestradiol).


METHODS
The authors' report the results of a double blind randomized controlled study using a translated version of the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire (FSFI) for the assessment of the sexual function. The free androgen index was calculated from measurements of testosterone and sexual hormone binding globulin.


RESULTS
The result shows statistically significant improvements regarding sexual desire, arousal and overall satisfaction in the Yasmin group. Additionally, an increased frequency of orgasms in the Meliane group was reported. Statistically significant differences between the two treatments regarding changes in the FSFI score and changes in the free androgen index have not been observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The novel oral contraceptive containing drospirenone (Yasmin) and the non-anti-androgenic progestin containing oral contraceptive (Meliane) do not show unfavorable effects on sexual response and libido.
Oranratanaphan
Shina
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, Rama IV Rd, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Taneepanichskul
Surasak
S
D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens; D000736:Androstenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D013997:Time Factors
D000728:Androgens; D000736:Androstenes; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D009652:Norpregnenes; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; C033273:Gestodene; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; C035144:drospirenone