Effects of two types of hormonal contraception—oral versus intravaginal—on the sexual life of women and their partners

BACKGROUND: Data relating to the influence of hormonal contraception on sexual life are conflicting and mostly they refer to oral contraceptives. In this randomized, controlled, prospective study we compared the effect of an intravaginal hormonal contraceptive with the effect of a combined oral cont...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human reproduction (Oxford) 2005-04, Vol.20 (4), p.1100-1106
Main Authors: Guida, Maurizio, Di Spiezio Sardo, Attilio, Bramante, Silvia, Sparice, Stefania, Acunzo, Giuseppe, Tommaselli, Giovanni Antonio, Di Carlo, Costantino, Pellicano, Massimiliano, Greco, Elena, Nappi, Carmine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Administration, Intravaginal
Administration, Oral
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Contraceptives, Oral, Combined - administration & dosage
Desogestrel - administration & dosage
Estrogens - administration & dosage
Ethinyl Estradiol - administration & dosage
Female
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Humans
intravaginal hormonal contraceptive
Male
Medical sciences
oral hormonal contraceptive
partners
Patient Satisfaction
Prospective Studies
sex life
Sexual Behavior - drug effects
Sexual Behavior - psychology
Sexuality - drug effects
Sexuality - psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:BACKGROUND: Data relating to the influence of hormonal contraception on sexual life are conflicting and mostly they refer to oral contraceptives. In this randomized, controlled, prospective study we compared the effect of an intravaginal hormonal contraceptive with the effect of a combined oral contraceptive on sexual function. METHODS: Fifty-one healthy women with a permanent partner and an active sexual life were randomly divided in two groups according to a computer-generated randomization list: 26 women (group A) used an intravaginal contraceptive releasing 120 μg/day of etonogestrel and 15 μg/day of ethinylestradiol (EE) and 25 women (group B) used an oral contraceptive containing 20 μg di EE and 150 μg of desogestrel. Twenty-five women participated in the study as control group (group C). A specific questionnaire was completed by the patients and their partners at the start of the study and after cycles 3 and 6 of contraceptive use. RESULTS: Within 3 months of contraceptive use, women from both groups A and B reported a global improvement in sexual function. A statistically significant increase in sexual fantasy was reported only by patients of group A. Whereas partners of the women in both groups A and B reported an improvement in sexual function after 3 months of contraceptive intake, only patients' partners of group A reported a significant increase in sexual interest, complicity and sexual fantasy. CONCLUSIONS: Both hormonal contraceptives tested were seen to have a positive effect on some aspects of sexual function. The intravaginal contraceptive ring seems to exert a further positive effect on the psychological aspect of both women and their partners, which is evident from an improved complicity and sexual satisfaction.
ISSN:0268-1161
1460-2350
DOI:10.1093/humrep/deh686