Quality of Sexual Life of Women on Oral Contraceptive Continued-Regimen: Pilot Study

Caruso, Salvatore; Malandrino, Chiara; Cicero, Carla; Ciancio, Fabio; Cariola, Maria; Cianci, Antonio

doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.03004.x

Cited by 32 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Extended-cycle regimens significantly reduce use of menstrual-hygiene products and drug products to treat menstrual symptoms and may produce cost savings related to reduced work/school absenteeism and reduced doctor visits [ 26 ]. The potential benefit of extended-cycle regimens on sexual behavior and satisfaction requires further study but improvement has been suggested with a 72/4 COC regimen [ 27 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Real-world experience of women using extended-cycle vs monthly-cycle combined oral contraception in the United States: the National Health and Wellness Survey

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundThe real-world experience of women receiving extended-cycle combined oral contraception (COC) versus monthly-cycle COC has not been reported.MethodsData were from the United States 2013 National Health and Wellness Survey. Eligible women (18–50 years old, premenopausal, without hysterectomy) currently using extended-cycle COC (3 months between periods) were compared with women using monthly-cycle COC. Treatment satisfaction (1 “extremely dissatisfied” to 7 “extremely satisfied”), adherence (8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale©), menstrual cycle-related symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and health state utilities (Medical Outcomes Short Form Survey-36v2®), depression (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire), sleep difficulties, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-General Health, and healthcare resource use were assessed using one-way analyses of variance, chi-square tests, and generalized linear models (adjusted for covariates).ResultsParticipants included 260 (6.7%) women using extended-cycle and 3616 (93.3%) using monthly-cycle COC. Women using extended-cycle COC reported significantly higher treatment satisfaction (P = 0.001) and adherence (P = 0.04) and reduced heavy menstrual bleeding (P = 0.029). A non-significant tendency toward reduced menstrual pain (39.5% versus 47.3%) and menstrual cycle-related symptoms (40.0% versus 48.7%) was found in women using extended-cycle versus monthly-cycle COC. Significantly more women using extended-cycle COC reported health-related diagnoses, indicating preferential prescription for extended-cycle COC among women reporting more health problems. Consistent with this poorer health, more women using extended-cycle COC reported fatigue, headache, and activity impairment (P values < 0.05). There were no other significant differences between groups.ConclusionsThis real-world observational study supports extended-cycle COC as a valuable treatment option with high satisfaction, high adherence, and reduced heavy menstrual bleeding.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Real-world experience of women using extended-cycle vs monthly-cycle combined oral contraception in the United States: the National Health and Wellness Survey

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In several recently well‐performed published studies, Italian researchers assessed female sexual function using the non‐validated FSFI Italian translation [20–24]. In consideration of the significantly increasing attention being given to female sexual function, it was mandatory to develop a complete validation of the Italian version of FSFI.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): Linguistic Validation of the Italian Version

Filocamo

Serati

Marzi

et al. 2014

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

127

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction Although several new measurements for female sexual dysfunction (FSD) have recently been developed, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) remains the gold standard for screening and one of the most widely used questionnaires. The Italian translation of the FSFI has been used in several studies conducted in Italy, but a linguistic validation of the Italian version does not exist. Aim The aim of this study was to perform a linguistic validation of the Italian version of the FSFI. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in 14 urological and gynecological clinics, uniformly distributed over Italian territory. We performed all steps necessary to determine the reliability and the test–retest reliability of the Italian version of the FSFI. The study population was a convenience sample of 409 Italian women. Main Outcome Measures The reliability of the questionnaire was calculated using Cronbach's alpha, which was considered weak, moderate, or high if its value was found less than 0.6, between 0.6 and 0.8, or equal to or greater than 0.8, respectively. The test–retest reliability was assessed for all women in the sample by calculating Pearson's concordance correlation coefficient for each domain and for the total score, both at baseline and after 15 days (r range between −1.00 to +1.00, where +1.00 indicates the strongest positive association). Results Cronbach's alpha coefficents for total and domain score were sufficiently high, ranging from 0.92 to 0.97 for the total sample. The test–retest procedure revealed that the concordance correlation coefficient was very high both for FSFI-I total score (Pearson's P = 0.93) and for each domain (Pearson's P always >0.92). Conclusion For the first time in the literature, our study has produced a validated and reliable Italian version of the FSFI questionnaire. Consequently, the Italian FSFI can be used as a reliable tool for preliminary screening for female sexual dysfunction for Italian women.

show abstract

“…Recent OCs are equally effective for birth control and, in general, have both good cycle control and tolerability [5–7]. However, the hormonal components of OCs could have various effects on mood and libido [8–14]. Although the reduction of circulating androgens levels and the loss of estrogen fluctuations may decrease sexual desire and vaginal lubrication, Sabatini and Cagiano demonstrated that these sexual negative effects progressively decrease and, in general, disappear by cycle 12 [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clitoral Vascularization and Sexual Behavior in Young Patients Treated with Drospirenone–Ethinyl Estradiol or Contraceptive Vaginal Ring: A Prospective, Randomized, Pilot Study

Battaglia¹,

Morotti²,

Persico³

et al. 2014

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction Oral contraceptives (OC) are effective for birth control and have good cycle control and tolerability. However, the hormonal components could modify mood and libido. Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate the genital vascular effects and sexual behavior of an OC containing 30 μg ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg drospirenone in comparison with a flexible combined contraceptive vaginal ring. Methods Forty women underwent a sonographic assessment of the clitoral anatomy and vascularization and were administered the McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire (MFSQ) and the Beck's Depression Inventory questionnaire (BDI). Estradiol, androstenedione, testosterone, and SHBG were assayed. Free Androgen Index (FAI) and Free Estrogen Index (FEI) were calculated. The patients were randomly submitted to OC (group I; n = 21) or vaginal ring (group II; n = 19). Main Outcome Measures Ultrasonographic clitoral volume, pulsatility index (PI) of dorsal clitoral arteries, MFSQ, BDI, and hormonal and biochemical assays were analyzed. Results After therapy, the testosterone levels were reduced in both groups, whereas estradiol decreased only in group I women. The SHBG increased in all the subjects, and both FAI and FEI decreased. The clitoral volume decreased in all the women. The PI of the dorsal clitoral artery increased only in patients on OC. The hormonal contraception was associated, in both studied groups, with a significant decrease of the two-factor Italian MFSQ score, which was more marked in OC users. In group I subjects, there was a reduction of the number of intercourse/week and a reduction of orgasm frequency during intercourse. The pain during intercourse worsened after OC use. The vaginal ring users reported a vaginal wetness. Conclusions Six-month treatment with hormonal contraception is associated with a diminished MFSQ score. However, the frequency of sexual intercourse and orgasm was reduced only by the use of OC. The OC use was associated with increased pain during intercourse.

show abstract

Quality of Sexual Life of Women on Oral Contraceptive Continued-Regimen: Pilot Study

Cited by 32 publications

References 32 publications

Real-world experience of women using extended-cycle vs monthly-cycle combined oral contraception in the United States: the National Health and Wellness Survey

Real-world experience of women using extended-cycle vs monthly-cycle combined oral contraception in the United States: the National Health and Wellness Survey

The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): Linguistic Validation of the Italian Version

Clitoral Vascularization and Sexual Behavior in Young Patients Treated with Drospirenone–Ethinyl Estradiol or Contraceptive Vaginal Ring: A Prospective, Randomized, Pilot Study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About