Niklas Zethraeus1, Anna Dreber1, Eva Ranehill1, Liselott Blomberg1, Fernand Labrie1, Bo von Schoultz1, Magnus Johannesson1, Angelica Lindén Hirschberg1. 1. Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics (N.Z.), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Economics (A.D., M.J.), Stockholm School of Economics, 113 83 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Economics (E.R.), University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Women's and Children's Health (L.B., B.v.S., A.L.H), Karolinska Institutet, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden; and Laval University (F.L.), Quebec City G1V 0A6, Canada.
Abstract
CONTEXT: There is a lack of knowledge about how oral contraceptives may affect sexual function. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is a causal effect of oral contraceptives on sexuality. We hypothesized that a widely used pill impairs sexuality. DESIGN: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Enrollment began in February 2012 and was completed in August 2015. SETTING:Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 340 healthy women, aged 18-35 years, were randomized to treatment, and 332 completed the study. INTERVENTIONS: A combined oral contraceptive (150 μg levonorgestrel and 30 μg ethinylestradiol) or placebo for 3 months of treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the aggregate score on the Profile of Female Sexual Function (PFSF). Secondary outcomes were the seven domains of the PFSF, the Sexual Activity Log, and the Personal Distress Scale. RESULTS:Overall sexual function was similar in women in the oral contraceptive and placebo groups. The PFSF domains desire (-4.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], -8.49 to -0.38; P = .032), arousal (-5.1; 95% CI, -9.63 to -0.48; P = .030), and pleasure (-5.1; 95% CI, -9.97 to -0.32; P = .036) were significantly reduced in comparison to placebo, whereas orgasm, concern, responsiveness, and self-image were similar between groups. The mean frequency of satisfying sexual episodes and personal distress were also similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows no negative impact of a levonorgestrel-containing oral contraceptive on overall sexual function, although three of seven sexual function domains were adversely affected.
RCT Entities:
CONTEXT: There is a lack of knowledge about how oral contraceptives may affect sexual function. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is a causal effect of oral contraceptives on sexuality. We hypothesized that a widely used pill impairs sexuality. DESIGN: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Enrollment began in February 2012 and was completed in August 2015. SETTING: Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 340 healthy women, aged 18-35 years, were randomized to treatment, and 332 completed the study. INTERVENTIONS: A combined oral contraceptive (150 μg levonorgestrel and 30 μg ethinylestradiol) or placebo for 3 months of treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the aggregate score on the Profile of Female Sexual Function (PFSF). Secondary outcomes were the seven domains of the PFSF, the Sexual Activity Log, and the Personal Distress Scale. RESULTS: Overall sexual function was similar in women in the oral contraceptive and placebo groups. The PFSF domains desire (-4.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], -8.49 to -0.38; P = .032), arousal (-5.1; 95% CI, -9.63 to -0.48; P = .030), and pleasure (-5.1; 95% CI, -9.97 to -0.32; P = .036) were significantly reduced in comparison to placebo, whereas orgasm, concern, responsiveness, and self-image were similar between groups. The mean frequency of satisfying sexual episodes and personal distress were also similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows no negative impact of a levonorgestrel-containing oral contraceptive on overall sexual function, although three of seven sexual function domains were adversely affected.
Authors: Irene Scavello; Elisa Maseroli; Vincenza Di Stasi; Sarah Cipriani; Nunzia Verde; Angela Magini; Mario Maggi; Linda Vignozzi Journal: Int J Impot Res Date: 2019-07-01 Impact factor: 2.896
Authors: Juan Pablo Del Río; María I Alliende; Natalia Molina; Felipe G Serrano; Santiago Molina; Pilar Vigil Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2018-05-23