title: Quality of sexual life of women using the contraceptive vaginal ring in extended cycles: preliminary report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the quality of the sexual life of healthy women who are using a contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR) in extended cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-two women (18 to 32 years old) seeking hormonal contraception were enrolled in this prospective study. Women were to use a CVR releasing daily 15 μg of ethinylestradiol (EE) and 120 μg of etonogestrel (ENG) for 63 days, followed by a four-day hormone-free interval, for two such extended cycles. At baseline and at the first (day 63-73) and second (day 126-134) follow-ups the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaires were administered to investigate, respectively, sexual behaviour and the quality of life (QoL). The Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) was used to verify whether sexual dysfunction caused significant personal distress to the woman.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The FSFI and FSDS scores obtained at the first and second follow-up appointments detected an improvement with respect to the baseline score (p < 0.05). QoL measures of body pain, general health and emotional role improved at the first follow-up visit (p < 0.05); at the second one, all variables showed improvement (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to these preliminary data the CVR in extended cycles could improve the sexual function and the QoL of women.
authors.affiliation: Research Group for Sexology, Gynaecological Clinic, Department of Medical Surgical Specialties, University of Catania , Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cianci
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Malandrino
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cicero
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lo Presti
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cianci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Combined hormonal contraceptive; Contraceptive vaginal ring; Extended cycles; Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI); NuvaRing®; Quality of life; Sexual behaviour