FEMALE LIBIDO PROBLEMS AND HORMONAL CONTRACEPTION


Cite item

Full Text

Open Access Open Access
Restricted Access Access granted
Restricted Access Subscription or Fee Access

Abstract

Objective. To consider the topical problems of female libido in the context of a biopsychosocial approach and in relation with the use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs). Subject and methods. The data available in the literature and a semistructured interview were analyzed. Results. Consideration was given to the topical problems of female libido: definitions, its multicomponent structure, and specific features of evaluation of decreased libido. Endocrine sexual drive support, its role in different age periods, and mechanisms of action of various hormones are discussed in detail. Particular attention is given to the impact of hormonal contraception as a whole and various COCs on female libido. The principles of their choice (primarily the account of age and female hormonal and sexual function) were defined to prevent libido disorders. Sexual history data were noted to be collected. Conclusion. It is necessary to take into account the fact that the gestagen component of an antiandrogenic COC may have a negative effect on sexual desire and to carefully assess whether these drugs are advisable to use.

Full Text

Restricted Access

About the authors

Anna I. FEDOROVA

I.I. Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University

Email: feanna@inbox.ru
MD, Professor of Department of Sexology 191015, Russia, Saint-Petersburg, Kirochnaya str. 41

References

  1. Bitzer J., Giraldi A., Pfaus J. Sexual desire and hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women. Introduction and overview. Standard operating procedure (SOP Part 1). J. Sex. Med. 2013; 10(1): 36-49.
  2. Giradi A., Marson L., Nappi R., Pfaus J., Traish A.M., Vardi Y., Goldstein I. Physiology of female sexual function: animal models. J. Sex. Med. 2004; 1(3): 237-53.
  3. Pfaus J.G. Pathways of sexual desire. J. Sex. Med. 2009; 6(6): 1506-33.
  4. Labrie F., Bélanger A., Bélanger P., Bérubé R., Martel C., Cusan L. et al. Androgen glucuronides, instead of testosterone, as the new markers of androgenic activity in women. J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. 2006; 99(4-5): 182-8.
  5. Bancroft J. The endocrinology of sexual arousal. J. Endocrinol. 2005; 186(3): 411-27.
  6. Kushnir M.M., Rockwood A.L., Roberts W.L., Pattison E.G., Bunker A.M., Fitzgerald R.L., Meikle A.W. Performance characteristics of a noval tandem mass spectrometry assay for serum testosterone. Clin. Chem. 2006; 52(1): 120-8.
  7. Davis S.R., Davison S.L., Donath S., Bell R.J. Circulating androgen levels and self-reported sexual function in women. JAMA. 2005; 294(1): 91-6.
  8. Dawson S.J., Suschinsky K.D., Lalumière M.L. Sexual fantasies and viewing times across the menstrual cycle: a diary study. Arch. Sex. Behav. 2012; 41(1): 173-83.
  9. Miller K.K., Biller B.M., Beauregard C., Lipman J.G., Jones J., Schoenfeld D. et al. Effect of testosterone replacement in androgen-deficient women with hypopituitarism: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2006; 91(5): 1683-92.
  10. Tuiten A., Van Honk J., Koppeschaar H., Bernaards C., Thijssen J., Verbaten R. Time course of effects of testosterone administration of sexual arousal in women. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry. 2000; 57(2): 149-53.
  11. Labrie F., Luu-The V., Labrie C., Bélanger A., Simard J., Lin S.X., Pelletier G. Endocrine and intracrine sources of androgens in women: inhibition of breast cancer and other roles of androgens and their precursor dehydroepiandrosterone. Endocr. Rev. 2003; 24(2): 152-82.
  12. Goeretzleher G. The role of progestogens in hormone replacement. Drugs Today. 2001; 37(Suppl. G): 1-8.
  13. Davis S.R., Guay A.T., Shifren J.L., Mazer N.A. Endocrine aspects of female sexual dysfunction. J. Sex. Med. 2004; 1(1): 82-6.
  14. Bancroft J., Hammond G., Graham C. Do oral contraceptives produce irreversible effects on women’s sexuality? J. Sex. Med. 2006; 3(3): 567-72.
  15. Wallwiener M., Wallwiener L.M., Seeger H., Mueck A.O., Zipfel S., Bitzer J., Wallwiener C.W. Effects of sex hormones in oral contraceptives on the female sexual function score: a study in German female medical students. Contraception. 2010; 82(2): 155-9.
  16. Warnock J.K., Clayton A., Croft H., Segraves R., Biggs F.C. Comparison of androgens in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder: Those on Combined Oral Contraceptives (COCs) vs. those not on COCs. J. Sex. Med. 2006; 3(5): 878-82.
  17. Caruso S., Agnello C., Intelisano G., Farina M., Di Mari L., Cianci A. Sexual behavior of women taking low-dose oral contraceptive containing 15 microg ethinyl estradiol/60 microg gestodene. Contraception. 2004; 69(3): 237-40.
  18. Ott M.A., Shew M.L., Ofner S., Tu W., Fortenberry J.D. The influence of hormonal contraception on mood and sexual interest among adolescents. Arch. Sex. Behav. 2008; 37(4): 605-13.
  19. Martin-Loeches M., Orti K., Monfort M., Orteg E. A comparative analysis of the modification of sexual desire of users of oral hormonal contraceptive sand intrauterine contraceptive devices. Eur. J. Contracept. Reprod. Health Care. 2003; 8(3): 129-34.
  20. Schramm G., Steffens D. A 12-months evaluation of the CMA-containing oral contraceptive Belara: efficacy, tolerability and antiandrogenic properties. Contraception. 2003; 67(4): 305-12.
  21. Zahradnik H.P., Hanjalic-Beck A. Efficacy, safety and sustainability of treatment continuation and results of an oral contraceptive containing 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg chlormadinone acetate, in long-term usage (up to 45 cycles)- an open-label, prospective, noncontrolled, office-based Phase III study. Contraception. 2008; 77(5): 337-41.
  22. Spona J., Binder N., Hoschen K., Feichtinger W. Contraceptive efficacy and safety of low-dose contraceptive ( 0,03 mg ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg chlormadinone acetate) Belara, over three medication cycle. Eur. J. Contracept. Reprod. Health Care. 2008; 13(1): 39-48.
  23. Huber J.C., Heskamp M.L., Schramm G.A. Effect of an oral contraceptive with chlormadinone acetate on depressive mood: analysis of data from four observational studies. Clin. Drug Investig. 2008; 28(12): 783-91.
  24. Schramm G., Heckes B. Switching hormonal contraceptives to a chlormadinone acetate-containing oral contraceptive. The Contraceptive Switch Study. Contraception. 2007; 76(2): 84-90.
  25. Frey C.A., Waif A.A. Changes in progesterone metabolites in the hippocampus can modulate open field and forced swim test behavior of proestrous rats. Horm. Behav. 2002; 41(3): 306-15.
  26. Bodnar R.J., Klein G.E. Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2005. Peptides. 2006; 27(12): 3391-478.
  27. Charmandari E., Tsigos C., Chrousos G. Endocrinology of the stress response. Annu. Rev. Physiol. 2005; 67: 259-84.
  28. Ribero S.C., Kennedy S.E., Smith Y.S., Stohler C.S., Zubieta J.K. Interface of physical and emotion stress regulation through the endogenous opioid system and mu-opioid receptors. Prog. Neuropsychopharmacol. Biol. Psychiatry. 2005; 269(8): 1264-80.
  29. Pluchino N., Lenzi E., Merlini S., Giannini A., Cubeddu A., Casarosa E. et al. Selective effects of chlormadinone acetate on brain allopregnanolone and opioids content. Contraception. 2009; 80(1): 53-62.

Supplementary files

Supplementary Files
Action
1. JATS XML
Download

This website uses cookies

You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website.

About Cookies