Improvement of Low Sexual Desire Due to Antiandrogenic Combined Oral Contraceptives After Switching to an Oral Contraceptive Containing 17β-Estradiol.
To investigate the effects of a combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing 17β-estradiol (E2) 1.5 mg and nomegestrol acetate 2.5 mg (NOMAC/E2) on the sexual health of women affected by low sexual desire due to COCs containing ethinylestradiol.



Eighty-three women (age range 19-32) participated in the study. Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), total testosterone (TT), and free androgen index (FAI) were measured. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) questionnaires were used to assess sexual function and distress, respectively. Hormonal levels were measured and questionnaires were administered before the women switched COC NOMAC/E2 usage (baseline) and at the 3-month (first) and 6-month (second) follow-ups.



SHBG reduction (p < 0.001), TT (p < 0.05), and FAI increases (p < 0.001) were observed during the first and second follow-ups with respect to baseline values. Sexual desire increased from baseline to the first and second follow-ups (p < 0.001). At baseline, the total FSFI score was 22 ± 1.5 and the FSDS score was 16.6 ± 1.3, both indicating sexual dysfunction with sexual distress. At the first follow-up, the total FSFI score and the FSDS score increased toward sexual health values, being 28.3 ± 1.6 and 12.1 ± 1.5, respectively (p < 0.001). At the second follow-up, the FSFI score had risen to 30.6 ± 1.3 (p < 0.001) and the FSDS score had dropped to 8.3 ± 1.4 (p < 0.001).



COCs containing E2 are an innovation that could help women to not suffer from low sexual desire during hypoandrogenic COC usage.
1 Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic of the Policlinico Universitario , Catania, Italy .|2 Research Group for Sexology, University of Catania , Catania, Italy .
Salvatore
S
Caruso
1 Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic of the Policlinico Universitario , Catania, Italy .
Stefano
S
Cianci
1 Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic of the Policlinico Universitario , Catania, Italy .
Maria
M
Cariola
1 Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic of the Policlinico Universitario , Catania, Italy .|2 Research Group for Sexology, University of Catania , Catania, Italy .
Valentina
V
Fava
1 Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic of the Policlinico Universitario , Catania, Italy .
Salvatore
S
Di Pasqua
1 Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, Gynecological Clinic of the Policlinico Universitario , Catania, Italy .|2 Research Group for Sexology, University of Catania , Catania, Italy .
Antonio
A
Cianci
D000328:Adult; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic / Q000494:pharmacology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects*; D008535:Megestrol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009649:Norpregnadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D009649:Norpregnadienes; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D004958:Estradiol; C038501:nomegestrol acetate; D008535:Megestrol
17β-estradiol; combined oral contraceptives; ethinylestradiol; low sexual desire; nomegestrol acetate; sexual life