title: Quality of sexual life in hyperandrogenic women treated with an oral contraceptive containing chlormadinone acetate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hyperandrogenism produces change in quality of life of women.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To prespectively determine the changes of the sexual behaviour of hyperandrogenic women using an oral contraceptive containing 30 microg ethinylestradiol and 2 mg chlormadinone acetate (EE/CMA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two volunteer women (age range, 18-32 years), with moderate to severe hirsutim and acne were treated with EE/CMA for 9 cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  To assess hirsutism, the Ferriman-Gallwey (F-G) scoring system was used. Serum FSH, LH, estradiol, total and free testosterone, DHEAS, androstenedione, and SHBG levels were measured at baseline and at the 9th cycle of pill intake. The Short Personal Experience Questionnaire (SPEQ), the Short Form-36 (SF-36), and a visual analog scales questionnaires were used to assess the QoL, at baseline and after 3, 6 and 9 cycles of pill use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A reduction of 65% and 81% in the total mean F-G score was observed after the 6th cycle and the 9th cycle, respectively. The serum Androstenedione, and total and free testosterone levels decreased, and SHBG levels increased after the 9th cycle (p < 0.05). The SF-36 score was higher after 6 (p < 0.05) 9 cycles (p < 0.001) with respect to baseline. Frequency of sexual intercourse and of orgasm by intercourse increased, and the frequency of masturbation decreased during the 6th (p < 0.05) and the 9th cycle (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EE/CMA pill has anti-androgenic properties reducing the anti-aesthetic effect of hyperandrogenism and improving female sexual and social self-esteem.
authors.affiliation: Research Group for Sexology, Department of Microbiological Science and Gynaecological Science, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. scaruso@unict.it
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rugolo
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agnello
authors.forename: Mattea
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cianci
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002715:Chlormadinone Acetate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003075:Coitus; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D002715:Chlormadinone Acetate