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01-10-2015 | General Gynecology

Are hormonal components of oral contraceptives associated with impaired female sexual function? A questionnaire-based online survey of medical students in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

Authors: Christian W. Wallwiener, Lisa-Maria Wallwiener, Harald Seeger, Birgitt Schönfisch, Alfred O. Mueck, Johannes Bitzer, Stephan Zipfel, Sara Y. Brucker, Florin-Andrei Taran, Markus Wallwiener

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 4/2015

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate in a large cohort of young university women whether different progestins and different ethinyl estradiol (EE) dosages in oral hormonal contraceptives (OHCs) adversely affect sexual function.

Methods

Female medical students from German, Austrian, and Swiss universities (14/1/1) completed an anonymous online questionnaire comprising the 19 Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questions and 17 additional questions concerning demographics, lifestyle, sexual activity, and contraceptive use. OHCs were categorized by EE dose (≤20, <20 to ≤30, and >30 µg) and partially androgenic or antiandrogenic progestins. FSFI scores were analyzed by contraceptive method using descriptive statistics and standard nonparametric tests.

Results

We analyzed 2612 questionnaires submitted by respondents aged ≤30 years [mean age (SD) 23.5 (2.5) years]. Of 2126 contraceptive users, 1535 (72.2 %) used OHCs. Median FSFI total scores (ranges) were 28.2 (2.0–36.0) for all respondents. Median FSFI was significantly lower in non-users (24.4) versus users (28.7) of contraception (p < 0.001). Stratified analysis showed that 279/486 (57.4 %) respondents using no contraceptives, 563/1535 (36.7 %) using OHCs, 71/227 (31.3 %) using non-oral hormonal contraceptives, and 96/351 (27.4 %) using non-hormonal contraceptives were at risk for female sexual dysfunction (FSFI total score <26.55). FSFI scores for the three EE dosage categories and progestin components did not differ significantly.

Conclusions

For OHCs, the FSFI score was lower than for other contraceptives but there was no significant association with EE dose or progestins, possibly due to small sample sizes. Further research needs to clarify the role of OHCs in female sexual function.

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Title: Are hormonal components of oral contraceptives associated with impaired female sexual function? A questionnaire-based online survey of medical students in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
Authors: Christian W. Wallwiener
Lisa-Maria Wallwiener
Harald Seeger
Birgitt Schönfisch
Alfred O. Mueck
Johannes Bitzer
Stephan Zipfel
Sara Y. Brucker
Florin-Andrei Taran
Markus Wallwiener
Publication date: 01-10-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 4/2015
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3726-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Are hormonal components of oral contraceptives associated with impaired female sexual function? A questionnaire-based online survey of medical students in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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