title: Comparative, open-label prospective study on the quality of life and sexual function of women affected by endometriosis-associated pelvic pain on 2 mg dienogest/30 µg ethinyl estradiol continuous or 21/7 regimen oral contraceptive.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of a continuous regimen combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing 2 mg dienogest and 30 µg ethinyl estradiol (DNG/EE) compared to a 21/7 regimen on the quality of life (QoL) and sexual function in women affected by endometriosis-associated pelvic pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-three women constituted the Study group treated with DNG/EE COC continuous regimen; 33 women were given DNG/EE COC in a 21/7 regimen. To define the endometriosis-associated pelvic pain, the Visual Analogic Scale was used. The Short Form-36, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) were used to assess QoL, sexual function and sexual distress, respectively. The study included two follow-ups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 3 and 6 months of treatment there was an improvement in pain of the Study group (p < 0.001). The Control group underwent pain improvement at the second follow-up (p < 0.05). At the first and the second follow-ups, the Study group reported QoL improvements in all categories (p < 0.001). The Control group reported QoL improvements in all categories at the second follow-up (p < 0.05). At the first and the second follow-ups of the Study group, the FSFI total score had risen (p < 0.001), and the FSDS score had dropped (p < 0.001). An improvement of the FSFI score and a reduction of the FSDS score of the Control group was observed at the second follow-up (p < 0.001), but not at the first follow-up (p = NS).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women on DNG/EE COC continuous regimen reported a reduction of endometriosis-associated pelvic pain and there was an improvement of their sexual activity and their QoL that was better than the DNG/EE 21/7 conventional regimen.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic, Policlinico Universitario, Via S.Sofia 78, 95124, Catania, Italy. scaruso@unict.it.|Research Group for Sexology, Catania, Italy. scaruso@unict.it.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic, Policlinico Universitario, Via S.Sofia 78, 95124, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iraci
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic, Policlinico Universitario, Via S.Sofia 78, 95124, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cianci
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic, Policlinico Universitario, Via S.Sofia 78, 95124, Catania, Italy.|Research Group for Sexology, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fava
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic, Policlinico Universitario, Via S.Sofia 78, 95124, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Casella
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic, Policlinico Universitario, Via S.Sofia 78, 95124, Catania, Italy.|Research Group for Sexology, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cianci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009277:Nandrolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004967:Estrogens; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; C023635:dienogest; D009277:Nandrolone
keywords: Chronic pelvic pain; Continuous regimen COC; Dienogest; Endometriosis; Ethinyl estradiol; Quality of life; Sexual life