Objectives: The study investigated the effects on female sexual function of a progestogen-containing combined oral contraceptives (COCs) with an antiandrogenic profile taken in a continuous regimen.
Methods: In this prospective randomised single-institution study, 80 healthy women with a monogamous partner and an active sexual life were randomised into two groups for a period of 3 months. Women in the exposed group (n = 40) took a COCs containing 30 μg ethinylestradiol (EE) and 3 mg drospirenone (DRSP) in a 21/7 regimen. Women in the control group (n = 40) used either a barrier contraceptive method (BCM) or a natural family planning method (NFPM). Participants were asked to complete a set of validated questionnaires to assess sociodemographic variables and measure Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).
Results: The total FSFI score (p < 0.0001), as well as the desire (p = 0.04) and arousal (p = 0.03) scores, were significantly lower in the COCs group after 3 months of hormonal contraceptive use compared with baseline. Women using BCM or NFPM showed an improvement in total FSFI score (p = 0.02). Hormonal contraception with DRSP increased the likelihood of worse sexual function in the desire (odds ratio [OR] 2.47; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22, 4.98; p = 0.01) and arousal domains (OR 2.85; 95%CI 1.34, 5.93; p = 0.005) and in total FSFI score (OR 2.01; 95%CI 1.45, 2.79; p < 0.001). The results remained statistically significant even after adjustment for smoking status.
Conclusions: The study found evidence that women taking a combined EE/DRSP COCs for 3 months may have a worsening of sexual function as measured by FSFI.
Keywords: Combined oral contraceptives; drospirenone; female sexual function.