title: Change to either a nonandrogenic or androgenic progestin-containing oral contraceptive preparation is associated with improved sexual function in women with oral contraceptive-associated sexual dysfunction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is a commonly held belief that combined oral contraceptive (COC) pills containing an androgenic progestin may be less likely to impair sexual function than COCs containing an anti-androgenic progestin.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study aims to compare the effects of a COC containing a progestin with an anti-androgenic profile (estradiol valerate [E2 V]/dienogest [DNG]) to that of one with an androgenic progestin (ethinyl estradiol [EE]/levonorgestrel [LNG]) on sexual function in women with COC-associated sexual dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, noninferiority study, women with COC-associated female sexual dysfunction (FSD) were randomized to E2 V/DNG or EE/LNG for six cycles. The primary outcome was the change in the sum of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) desire and arousal component scores between baseline and cycle 6. Secondary outcome measures included changes to the FSFI domains, the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS-R), Vaginal Health Assessment, the Atrophy Symptom Questionnaire, and the Psychological General Well Being Index over six treatment cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  The main outcome is the change in the sum of FSFI desire and arousal component scores between baseline and cycle 6.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 276 women screened, 213 received treatment and 191 completed the study. The mean increase in the sum of FSFI desire and arousal component scores was 5.90 (standard deviation [SD] 5.45) for E2 V/DNG and 5.79 (SD 6.17) for EE/LNG (change from baseline P < 0.0001, both groups). Both treatments showed equal efficacy and were associated with improvements in all domains of the FSFI, with no between-group differences. Both COCs reduced the distress associated with FSD, as indicated by reduced FSDS-R scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In women with COC-associated FSD, switching to either E2 V/DNG or EE/LNG was associated with equivalent improvements in symptoms, challenging the perception that COCs containing anti-androgenic progestins have a detrimental effect on sexual function relative to those containing androgenic progestins.
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Susan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bitzer
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giraldi
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palacios
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parke
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serrani
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mellinger
authors.forename: Rossella E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Nappi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D057915:Drug Substitution; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009277:Nandrolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004338:Drug Combinations; C072593:ethinyl estradiol, levonorgestrel drug combination; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; C023635:dienogest; D004958:Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D009277:Nandrolone
keywords: Dienogest; Estradiol Valerate; Ethinyl Estradiol; Female Sexual Dysfunction; Oral Contraception