Effects of two combined hormonal contraceptives with the same composition and different doses on female sexual function and plasma androgen levels.
BACKGROUND
This study was conducted to compare the effects of two contraceptive pills with different doses of the same components, on plasma androgen levels and female sexual function among women without previous sexual dysfunction.


METHODS
The participants were randomized into two groups, to receive pills containing ethynylestradiol (EE) 30 mcg and levonorgestrel (LNG) 150 mcg or EE 20 mcg and LNG 100 mcg, for six cycles. Sexual function was assessed using a standardized questionnaire [Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)]. Hormone assays were performed at baseline and after the sixth cycle.


RESULTS
Forty-nine women were included in the EE30/LNG150 group and 48 in the EE20/LNG100 group. EE30/LNG150 group presented 54% and 67% decreases of total testosterone and free androgen index, respectively, with statistical significance. EE20/LNG100 presented reductions of 20% and 42%, respectively, but without statistical significance. Both groups showed improvements in the FSFI "desire" score, but with statistical significance only for EE20/LNG100 group.


CONCLUSIONS
EE30/LNG150 decreased plasma androgen levels, but there was no impairment in sexual desire, on the other hand, sexual desire score increased with EE20/LNG100 formulation.
Strufaldi
Rodolfo
R
ABC School of Medicine, Santo André, Brazil, Av. Príncipe de Gales, 821, Santo André, 09060-650 SP, Brazil.
Pompei
Luciano M
LM
Steiner
Marcelo L
ML
Cunha
Everaldo P
EP
Ferreira
José A S
JA
Peixoto
Sérgio
S
Fernandes
César E
CE
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel